Ghana coach Otto Addo remains hopeful of the Black Stars' qualification for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations despite a poor start.
The four-time African champions are without a win in their opening games in Group F, losing to Angola and drawing against Niger in September.
The Black Stars will face Sudan in a double-header in October with hopes of bouncing back and getting their qualifying campaign on track.
Despite a challenging beginning to their qualification campaign, Otto Addo remains optimistic about the Black Stars' chances of progressing to the tournament.
In a statement captured by journalist Micky Jnr at the CAF Coaches Symposium in Ivory Coast, Addo emphasized that qualification remains within reach, even though the team’s start has been less than ideal.
"It is possible" - Otto Addo confident of 2025 AFCON qualification despite rocky start. Surely it’s [qualification] possible. Everybody who can calculate knows it’s possible” Otto Addo stated.
Addo is focusing on the upcoming double-header against Sudan as pivotal to Ghana's qualification hopes. “We have the advantage, now that we are playing against Sudan front and back, a direct and concrete team, surely we have to beat them.”
The coach drew on his own experience, recalling previous high-stakes matches. “These are small finals, I had a small final myself when we were successful against Nigeria. “I think even though we started badly but Afcon qualification games we still have a bit chance to qualify when we get at least 4 out of the 2 games, yes it’s possible.”
Compounding Ghana’s challenges, the Black Stars must also navigate a venue dilemma. The Baba Yara Stadium, which was previously the team’s home ground, has been banned by CAF due to its poor condition.
The Ghana Football Association is currently scrambling to select and submit an alternative venue, which is likely to be located outside the country.
As the team gears up for these critical fixtures, Addo’s belief in their potential to qualify reflects a determined and hopeful approach, even amid the obstacles they face.
