Following their thrilling comeback victory over Mali in Bamako on Thursday night, Ghana's coach Otto Addo has lauded the team's tenacity.
In the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, the Black Stars, who had lost their previous seven games, went down shortly before halfway but showed incredible fighting spirit to win 2-1.
Otto Addo praises his players for the victory
A deflected shot from substitute Jordan Ayew inside the box sealed a victory that will boost Ghana's morale. Ernest Nuamah headed in the equalizer from the far post.
Coach Otto Addo and his team's celebrations emphasized the significance of the win, which puts Ghana in second place among the six teams in the group rankings.
Ghana had previously won their opening match against Madagascar but lost to Comoros, making the match against Mali crucial to avoid a precarious position in the qualifiers.
“I think we had a very good fighting spirit but the game was 50-50. It was even and in the end, our substitutes made the difference,” Otto Addo said. “In this game, I chose this system. In another game, I might choose a different system.”
Ghana now shifts focus to their next game against the Central African Republic at the Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi on Monday, June 10.
“The game against Central African Republic will now be even more difficult because we will now be expected to win. Mali and Central African Republic play differently, so I might choose a different system,” he added.
The win marks Ghana's first victory in 2024, ending a run of poor results and revitalizing their hopes of qualifying for the World Cup, which will be jointly hosted by the USA, Canada, and Mexico