Black Stars head coach Otto Addo has explained why he is not often seen shouting instructions from the touchline during games.
Speaking to the press ahead of Ghana’s upcoming clash with Mali, Addo revealed that the noise inside stadiums makes it difficult for players to hear him, even when he raises his voice.
“In the stadium, I can shout, but the players don’t hear me,” he said. “That is why we need leaders on the pitch who can push their teammates, especially in the closing minutes of matches.”
Addo made these remarks when asked if Ghana’s draw against Comoros on matchday 7 of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers highlighted the absence of defender Alexander Djiku, one of the team’s vocal leaders.
According to the coach, while tactical instructions come from the bench, leadership and motivation must also come from senior players on the pitch who can influence their teammates in real time.
Ghana vs Mali Showdown
The Black Stars are set to face Mali’s Eagles on Monday, September 8, 2025, under the floodlights at the Accra Sports Stadium.
Mali, who lost 2-1 to Ghana in the first leg on June 6, 2024, in Bamako under former coach Eric Chelle, will be seeking revenge. Meanwhile, Ghana is determined to extend its lead in Group I of the qualifiers.
With both sides eyeing a place in the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, the Accra showdown promises to be a crucial encounter.
