Otto Addo takes full responsibility after Ghana suffer humiliating defeat

Ghana national team head coach Otto Addo conceded he had taken full responsibility following the team’s 51 friendly defeat against Austria in Vienna, on Friday.

The Black Stars performed well in the first half but conceded four goals in the second to Ralf Rangnick’s side. It was the heaviest defeat Ghana have suffered in 19 years, the last time the Black Stars conceded five or more was a loss to Saudi Arabia back in 2007.

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Speaking after the game, Addo told Ghana website the first two goals from Austria were avoidable and they played a huge role in the defeat.

‘We all have to take responsibility’

“I take full responsibility when we win. I take responsibility. But we are all together. It’s not all about me. When we win, it’s not only about me. It’s also about the team. Everybody in the technical staff, the players,” Addo told Ghana official website.

“We all have to take responsibility. Surely, we have to do much better. It’s a matter of the team. If we win, we take responsibility. If we lose, we take responsibility. But it’s about the team.

“It’s a matter of taking responsibility from the team, from our teammates and from the players. The first two goals, surely avoidable.”

Ghana should have scored from three situations

On the outcome of the game, Addo said: “It was a very difficult game for us. We had some really, good situations where we could have scored. We knew that they are pressing high and once we win the ball and we try to get to a striker and who starts with great situations that we had

“And yeah, out of three or four situations, we should have scored one. I think we were more intelligent in certain situations. I know this was difficult decisions. I think one or two could have been a penalty.

“But this is football and then at the end, we collect the goal where we must drop earlier to attack the ball better. Unluckily, it got to the hands of Jonas Adjetey and they got a penalty and scored. But also, before that, I think there was a foul. There was no ball play.”

Addo continued: “He played the ball and we got an attack. But yeah, this is football. And still, then we must do better. The second half was a really, big disaster. Yeah, surely second goal was a good. And then I know it’s going to be tough here in Austria.

“We are behind 2-0. They brought in freshmen. I think also transition wise it was difficult after the third goal and that is where we must learn to do better.”

Ghana has quality to keep up with Germany

Following the defeat, Ghana will next face German. Speaking on the upcoming friendly, Addo said: “This is my job. I try to give the boys a positive result all the time even in the midst of defeat.

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“We have to analyse this game well even though we have little time. Tomorrow we will talk about some things. We have to improve them. We have to improve them quickly. I know that the team has the quality to keep up with Germany. There were a lot of things wrong today.

“We have to learn a lot. We have to learn from the head. We have to trust ourselves. We have to play our game. And it’s clear that we need to talk about things, things that have gone wrong tonight.”

Addo concluded: “But I have to work with the guys to keep up, that they have a good mindset, that they will be focused on the next match. So, we’re going to talk about that. And I know that we can do well against Germany, and we also have to get that into our heads. So, in this respect, I’m proud of the team.”

The Black Stars will next travel to Stuttgart to face Germany on Monday, March 31.