Otto Addo Reflects on Angola Draw, Expresses Disappointment and Hope
Ghana coach Otto Addo expressed his disappointment but remained optimistic following the Black Stars’ 1-1 draw with Angola in their penultimate 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier on Friday.
The result officially ended Ghana’s chances of qualifying for the tournament in Morocco, marking their first absence from the competition in 20 years.
Speaking at the post-match press conference, Addo congratulated Angola on securing their spot in the tournament and highlighted Ghana’s struggles during the game.
Jordan Ayew’s sublime free-kick in the 19th minute had given Ghana an early lead, but substitute Zini Cabaca equalized in the 63rd minute, leaving the Black Stars unable to regain control.
Addo acknowledged Angola’s freedom to play without pressure, contrasting it with Ghana’s struggle to cope with the expectations. “They didn’t have anything to lose today, you could see they could play freely.
We were more under pressure, and they pressed us very well, held us down in our half,” he said. “It was difficult for us to play, but we were missing our intensity, and it was not good enough on our side.”
Reflecting on the overall qualification campaign, Addo pointed to missed opportunities, particularly in home games. “In these tournaments, you have to win your home games. That’s very important,” he noted. “If you don’t win, it’s always difficult to play away and try to win because every nation is strong at home.”
The Black Stars’ failure to capitalize on home advantage proved costly, as Ghana fell short in several key moments during the campaign. Despite the disappointment, Addo remained reflective, suggesting that lessons must be learned from the team’s underwhelming performance.
Ghana will host Niger in their final Group F match at the Accra Sports Stadium on Monday, November 18. While the result will have no bearing on qualification, it presents an opportunity for the team to end the campaign on a positive note and begin rebuilding for future tournaments.
The four-time African champions will now face serious introspection as they seek to return to the continent’s elite stage in upcoming competitions.