Black Stars head coach, Otto Addo, says the players must be 100% concentrated to stand a chance of beating Madagascar in the FIFA World Cup qualifier on Monday. Ghana is looking to build on its momentum against Madagascar after running past Chad on Friday to move atop the Group I table with 12 points.
The Black Stars hold a two-point advantage over their opponents and would open a five-point gap if they beat Madagascar in Al Hoceima.
Speaking ahead of the game, Coach Otto Addo believes an all-hands-on-deck approach is what's needed to secure the points on Monday.
Read on for the transcript:
On injuries
We have some small issues here and there, but in all, we are all good to go.
On preparations ahead of Madagascar clash
Yeah, I think the most important thing is that I know everybody's excited, everybody was happy about our last win, but we still have a long way to go and we need everyone to be on their toes. We don't need 98 per cent, we don't need 99 per cent, we need 100 per cent. This is like a small final, and if we win this game, then we are really going to qualify, but it's going to be very, very tough.
On Madagascar
We observed the Madagascar team and they have done really, really well especially in the last game, so they are in good form and it's going to be a tough game.
On timing of win against Chad
Surely, we knew before all the games played that at least everything is still in our hands and after they played we knew that if we win we can stay on top of our table. Everybody knew what this game was about, and I'm very, very happy that we used our chances especially in the first half, because this made the game easier in the second half and I'm very, very happy that we scored some goals and for the confidence of the boys it was very important.
On possibility of opening a five-point lead
The most important thing is to believe in our own strength, to be confident and like you said, I think it was a good victory for us in a difficult time and now we have to build upon this, and no matter who we play against, we know that we have the strength to beat everyone but we know football is not like simple mathematics. You can be better; you can have more chances, but still not win. So we need to be really, really focused, nobody should take it easy, nobody should start thinking already about the World Cup because we need to take it step by step. It's very, very important that we stay focused until we've made the job, and now it's the whole focus about Madagascar and we really, really want to win this match, we want to have a clean sheet, and this is what we're looking for.
On individual flexibility and its benefit to the team
We have to continue to work for each other, even if somebody makes a mistake, the other one has to be there to help him out. We have to push each other in a positive way, a demanding way, but very, very positive, even if things go wrong. Football is a sport of mistakes, and who does more will lose. It's very, very important that we have a positive mindset if we make a mistake, because mistakes always happen, but the most important thing is how we react as a team. How do we push each other, how do we demand concentration from each other, how do we focus on our tasks? This is what will be decisive at the end.
On conceding goals despite scoring eleven in three matches
To be honest, surely we look and reflect on our results before, but in our preparation of our opponents, it doesn't really matter because we have to look forward. We could have won 10 games, and still we want to win the 11th. Statistics are good, but they don't indicate that you will win or lose the next match. We have to really concentrate, we talked about Madagascar already, today we will train, have some more tactical advices for the players, and I hope that everybody stays focused and concentrates on the strength of Madagascar. They have very good players, they play together as a team, it won't be easy, and everybody has to fulfill his individual task, but also as a team we have to come together as one to beat them.
On counting on individual brilliance to make a difference
Surely we prepare them offensively, but also defensively. I think they did quite well in performing and aligned to our analysis especially against Chad. Like I said, Madagascar is now a new task, it's going to be different. For us it's always important that the players read the game, read the signals and read our game plan so that we can see their weaknesses and also come in there with our strength. It's all about reading signals, reading the system of the opponent and knowing what we have to do as a team. Surely the leaders take a big role in that, if somebody is not in his position they demand and correct the position. Surely we have to play to our strengths, but also we have to think to see how we can hurt our opponent the most.
On facing Madagascar in Morocco and its possible benefits
It should be, actually, yes there is an advantage, because it's always not that easy if you play away and there are a lot of spectators but sometimes it's also a trap. Psychologically, sometimes if you think it's not going to be a hot atmosphere, it's kind of a trap and you give maybe 1 or 2 per cent less. For me, I can say it not often again, we have to be really on our toes, no matter how the circumstances are, and we have to be there. We can't just go out and think we will win; we have to work hard for this. Every centimetre is important, every duel is important and we have to go in every duel 100 per cent if we want to win this match.
On message to Ghanaians back home
Actually, we were surely overwhelmed by the support from our fans and I would like to say thank you to the whole of Ghana for supporting us in this way. Thank you, Accra, for this unbelievable atmosphere. Thank you to the President of the country, the sports minister, GFA president, everybody who worked so hard. Big, big thanks to our technical team who work day and night, and I'm always happy when it gets rewarded. We surely want to give everything for tomorrow's game, so that we can give back in points, and we are looking forward to our next home match as well. Keep on supporting, keep on helping us, and we can do this, but together.
GFA COMMUNICATIONS