Doha, Dec 3 () Ghana coach Otto Addo confirmed that he was stepping down and looked to the future of his nation’s football despite their exit from the World Cup on Friday.
“It was always clear that I would stop after the World Cup. My family and I see our role in Germany, I like my life at (Borussia) Dortmund (where he works as a talent coach) and want to carry on there. This is a family decision,” confirmed Addo, who was positive about Ghana’s future.
Ghana’s 2-0 defeat to Uruguay ended their World Cup adventure, with two first-half goals from Giorgian de Arrascaeta putting the game beyond Ghana’s reach after Andre Ayew had missed a 19th-minute penalty, reports Xinhua.
“The players have to continue and believe in themselves. Experience can come through doing things badly,” said Addo, who offered advice for whoever replaces him.
“There are things that we have to work on in defence and to be more clinical in attack. I am certain the players will grow from this experience and do better next time. I am sure this squad has a bright future,” he added.
“This is football, sometimes it is beautiful and at times it is ugly. It was ugly today,” commented the coach, who had words of support for Ayew after his penalty miss.
“There is no player in the world who hasn’t missed a penalty,” commented Addo.
Meanwhile, in Accra (Ghana), football fans said Friday that the future of their national team, the Black Stars, is promising despite their loss to Uruguay in the ongoing World Cup in Qatar.
The usual tooting of car horns and jubilation that came with the Black Stars’ wins was missing, as pockets of fans gathered at vantage points to discuss the early exit of Ghana after losing the last group game.
Most fans who watched the game from various public places said they were impressed with how the team showed in the games. Despite the team’s early exit, many fans said Ghana would come back much bigger and better in four years’ time.
Suraj Abudu, 28, told Xinhua that his only disappointment was seeing Uruguay defeat Ghana in another World Cup game, but he emphasised the Black Stars’ future strength.
“Even though the Black Stars lost to Uruguay in the last group game, which of course makes me unhappy, what gives me hope is the youthful nature of the team. The way the team played is indicative of a bright future. They will be a force to be reckoned with in the near future,” Abudu said.
He urged the Ghana Football Association and handlers to do everything to keep the team together.
35-year-old Rukiatu Enchill observed it was disappointing to see the Black Stars, who put up quite an impressive performance at the World Cup, exit the tournament at this moment.
She said, “I am delighted we have such a young team being put together by the handlers within such a short period of time.”
Before Friday’s loss to Uruguay, the Black Stars had lost 3-2 to Portugal and defeated South Korea 3-2 in their fourth appearance at the World Cup.
akm/