By Simon Asare
Accra, Oct. 18, GNA – Otto Addo, Head Coach of the senior national team, the Black Stars, believes that assertions of the Black Stars being cursed may affect the mentality of players.
Reflecting on Ghana’s recent loss to Sudan in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers, Otto Addo stated that he was “dead for two days and was a hard pill” for everyone around the team.
Despite having only two points from four matches, Otto Addo believed they still had a mathematical chance of qualifying and they would do everything to keep it alive.
“It’s not over yet. Mathematically, there’s still a chance, and we will do everything that is in our hands to hold this chance alive,” he said.
Otto Addo further disclosed that there were a lot of external influences affecting players’ mentality, especially from the media.
“People are saying this; people are saying that. And the problem comes if you start to believe. Let’s say there’s a curse on the team or whatsoever.
“It could affect a player. And then maybe you miss one chance, and then you think, hey, maybe they’re right. But this is the wrong way,” he said.
The gaffer also stressed the need for players to exhibit a strong mentality and support each other in whatever situation they may find themselves in.
“You have to believe in yourself. You have to be mentally very, very strong to believe in yourself and to believe in your teammates and support your teammates in whatever situation. Even if you’re 2-0 down. In my career, I’ve seen everything.
“We’ve been 2-0 down, but with the right mentality, you can even win 3-2. And this also comes with sticking to the plan. Sticking to the plan means that I’m not doing my own thing.
The Black Stars would be back in November for the last two matches of the 2025 AFCON qualifiers, where they face off against Angola and Niger.
GNA