Black Stars coach, Otto Addo has explained the seven changes he made in Ghana’s 1-1 draw away against the Central African Republic (CAR) in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualifiers on Sunday.
Having supervised quite an easy 3-0 win over Madagascar in the opening qualifier at Cape Coast, the Black Stars boss took the senior national team followers by surprise with the wholesale changes.
Goalkeeper Jojo Wollacot, Denis Odoi, Baba Rahman, Baba Iddrisu, Andre Ayew, Fatawu Issahaku and Jordan Ayew lost their spots in that starting line-up.
Coach Addo went for a relatively weakened side hoping that new faces like Lawrence Ati-Zigi, Andy Yiadom, Jonathan Mensah, Edmund Addo, Osman Bukari, Daniel-Kofi Kyereh and Joseph Paintsil can still deliver another victory against the Wild Beasts at the Estádio 1 de Novembro in Luanda, Angola.
The decision received massive criticism, especially after the game ended 1-1.
“I think the team was not weak,” adamant Addo said after the match.
“We had a lot of ball possession.
“The problem was the goal we conceded because they were not made for that. We didn’t run enough behind their defence.”
He added: “We had injuries, others sick, some had weak legs; that is why I decided to make changes.”
The Black Stars started well and took the lead through Mohammed Kudus in the 17th minute. But the team’s performance dropped afterward.
Karl Namnganda smashed home the equalizer for CAR four minutes from the halftime break with both sides fighting out a barren second half.
Despite the draw, Ghana top Group E with four points as Angola also drew 1-1 away to Madagascar.
Next up in the qualifiers for the Black Stars is back-to-back games against the Palancas Negras in September.
