Otto Addo: Black Stars ready to show “Another Face” against Mali

Black Stars head coach Otto Addo says his team is determined to respond strongly when they face Mali in a crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier at the Accra Sports Stadium on Monday night.

Speaking at the pre-match press conference at the stadium’s Media Centre, Addo admitted that the 1-1 draw against Chad in N’Djamena left the entire squad frustrated but insisted that lessons have been learned.

“The whole team, everybody was very disappointed after the draw in Chad. The expectation was high for us to win, and we were disappointed. We analysed the game very well and hope that we learned out of this,” Addo said.

The Ghana coach expressed confidence that home advantage and playing on natural grass under the floodlights will bring out a stronger performance.

“I’m very, very sure we’ll show another face here in front of the crowd. Surely it’s easier to play at home with our spectators supporting us, pushing our last percentage out of the bodies of the players, but also to play in the evening on grass. I expect a different face of the players,” he noted.

Addo stressed that Ghana’s qualification hopes remain in their own hands but cautioned that Mali, who sit four points behind Ghana in Group I, will pose a difficult challenge.

Black Stars currently lead the Group I with 16 points, just one ahead of Comoros, who moved into second place on 15 points after beating the Central African Republic earlier on Sunday. Madagascar follow with 13 points, Mali sit on 12, the Central African Republic have 5, and Chad remain bottom with a single point.

By Enoch Fiifi Forson