Addo evaluates Ghana’s AFCON qualifying opponents

by Graeme Jackson

Sunday Jul 07, 2024. 13:00

Ghana coach Otto Addo has warned that his team will not have an easy time against their Africa Cup of Nations qualifying opponents.

The Black Stars were placed in Group F alongside Angola, Sudan and Niger in the group stage draw, which was conducted in Johannesburg, South Africa, this past Thursday.

The Black Stars will have to finish in the top two of the group to earn a spot as one of 24 teams competing at the next AFCON finals, which will be held in Morocco in December 2025 and January 2026.

“We believe in ourselves to qualify from this group but it’s going to be tough,” said Addo, as quoted by Asaase Radio.

The Ghana coach went on to talk about the challenge each team will pose, starting with Angola, as he highlighted their current run to the Cosafa Cup final: “They have a strong squad and we can’t take it easy.”

The games with Sudan take on a special significance, as they are coached by former Black Stars mentor Kwesi Appiah.

“It’s going to be a really big challenge,” Addo noted. “To beat them and for this, we have to be at 100% best.

“I am excited to play against them, and like I said, it’s going to be tough. It’s not easy but we have a strong team and we surely can beat them.”

As for Niger, Addo noted: “They don’t have a good record in their last five, six, seven, eight matches.

“I think they won one, played some draws and lost the other games, but what you can see is that, when they lost, they just lost by a lone goal. So, it’s going to be tough.”

The AFCON qualifiers will be played in the international windows in September, October and November.