Coach Otto Addo is preparing the Black Stars for a crucial fixture as they search for their first win in the ongoing qualifiers. After a disappointing start, the team will look to redeem themselves in a match scheduled for Thursday, October 10, 2024, at the Accra Sports Stadium. The reverse fixture will follow just three days later in Libya, adding further pressure to secure a much-needed victory.
The squad selected for the qualifiers consists of experienced and in-form players across Europe, Ghana, and other leagues. Each of them brings a mix of resilience and talent, which Addo hopes will steer the Black Stars to success. Here’s a breakdown of how the players have fared ahead of the upcoming match:
Goalkeepers: Lawrence Ati-Zigi, who plays for St. Gallen in the Swiss Super League, was in fine form over the weekend, helping his side secure a 1-1 draw against Servette. Ati-Zigi’s consistent performances have kept him in contention for the starting spot.
Meanwhile, Joseph Wollacott manned the post for Crawley Town in their match against Wycombe in the English League One. Despite his best efforts, Crawley fell to a 1-0 defeat. Nevertheless, Wollacott remains a reliable option for the Black Stars.
Frederick Asare, the shot-stopper for Asante Kotoko, added another clean sheet to his record after helping his side secure a 1-0 victory over Accra Lions in a Ghana Premier League encounter. Asare’s domestic form is sure to boost his confidence as he heads into national duty.
Defenders: Brighton’s Tariq Lamptey, though unused in his club’s 3-2 win over Tottenham, remains a versatile option for the Black Stars. His ability to shift between defense and attack could be crucial for Otto Addo.
Kingsley Schindler of Samsunspor contributed 27 minutes of action in his side’s 3-1 win over Adana Demirspor, further proving his ability to adapt to competitive matches.
Alexander Djiku was a key figure for Fenerbahce in their 1-1 Europa League draw with Twente, while Abdul Mumin saw 90 minutes of action for Rayo Vallecano, playing an instrumental role in their 2-1 La Liga victory over Valladolid.
Mohammed Salisu made an appearance for AS Monaco, coming off the bench for eight minutes in their 2-1 victory over Rennes. Though his minutes were limited, his presence bolsters the squad’s depth. Jerome Opoku and Alidu Seidu also saw significant game time, with Opoku playing the full match for Basaksehir in a 1-1 draw against Kayserispor, and Seidu featuring for Rennes in their loss to Monaco.
Gideon Mensah completed his second game of the season for Auxerre, but despite his efforts, his side fell to a 3-1 defeat to St. Etienne. On the domestic front, Isaac Afful played the full 90 minutes for Samartex in their 1-1 draw with Karela United, adding yet another reliable defender to Otto Addo’s arsenal.
Midfielders: Thomas Partey, a key figure in the midfield, saw 84 minutes of action for Arsenal in their 3-1 Premier League victory over Southampton. His experience and leadership will be pivotal for the Black Stars as they seek to control the midfield.
Ibrahim Sulemana also saw action for Atlanta in their 5-1 triumph over Genoa in Serie A, playing 13 minutes, while Majeed Ashimeru made a brief appearance in Anderlecht’s 3-0 win over St. Liege.
Elisha Owusu had a solid performance for Auxerre, playing 83 minutes in their match against St. Etienne. Meanwhile, Mohammed Kudus opened his goal-scoring account for the season with West Ham, netting in their 4-1 win over Ipswich Town. His attacking prowess will be vital as Ghana pushes for goals.
Ibrahim Osman contributed 65 minutes to Feyenoord’s 2-1 victory over Twente in the Eredivisie, while Ernest Nuamah was part of Lyon’s 2-0 win over Nantes, playing 26 minutes. Additionally, Issahaku Abdul Fatawu added energy off the bench for Leicester City in their narrow 1-0 win over Bournemouth, playing eight minutes.
Forwards: Bournemouth’s Antoine Semenyo played the full match in their 1-0 loss to Leicester City in the Premier League. Despite the defeat, his consistent playing time bodes well for his national team form. Jordan Ayew also featured prominently for Leicester City, playing 88 minutes and receiving a yellow card in their hard-fought 1-0 win over Bournemouth.
Joseph Paintsil added an attacking threat in Major League Soccer, lasting 88 minutes for Los Angeles Galaxy in their 3-1 win over Colorado Rapids. Paintsil’s goal-scoring and creative abilities will be key for the Black Stars.
Brandon Thomas-Asante played the entire match for Coventry City in their 2-1 defeat to Sheffield Wednesday in the English Championship. Despite the loss, his strong presence on the field gives Otto Addo another solid attacking option.
Finally, Inaki Williams took part in Athletic Bilbao’s match against Girona in the Spanish La Liga, though Bilbao suffered a 2-1 defeat. Williams’ speed and finishing ability remain vital assets as Ghana looks to find the back of the net in the upcoming qualifiers.
With a diverse and talented squad at his disposal, Coach Otto Addo will be banking on his players’ recent performances to inspire a much-needed win for the Black Stars. The team is determined to turn their fortunes around and deliver a positive result in their home fixture before traveling to Libya for the reverse encounter. Fans across Ghana will be eagerly awaiting the outcome, hoping that this talented squad can lead the national team to success in the ongoing qualifiers.
