Otto Addo anticipates tough test against Madagascar

Black Stars coach Otto Addo believes his team will face a tough challenge against Madagascar in their upcoming 2026 World Cup qualifier on Monday.
The match, set to take place at the Al Hoceima Grand Stadium in Morocco, presents an opportunity for Ghana to solidify its position at the top of Group I in the African qualifiers.
The Black Stars climbed to the summit of the group standings after an emphatic 5-0 victory over Chad at the Accra Sports Stadium.
However, Otto Addo has urged his team to remain focused on the task ahead, acknowledging that Madagascar will pose a formidable challenge.

Otto Addo: “We must stay focused”
In a post-match interview following Ghana’s dominant win against Chad, Otto Addo emphasized the importance of concentration and preparation for the upcoming game.
“First of all, I am happy that we won and also that we scored a lot of goals, but to be honest, we have to concentrate on Monday. It will be a different game. It will be much, much more difficult, and we are already thinking ahead of that game,” Addo stated.
He expressed his appreciation for the team’s efforts and acknowledged the support from key stakeholders.
“I think the boys have done well, and we want to congratulate them. We want to thank the President, the Sports Minister for supporting us, the media also for supporting us, giving us good vibes, and the people of Ghana for still supporting us despite difficulties in the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers,” he added.

Assessing Madagascar’s strength
Otto Addo also noted that Madagascar’s recent performance, particularly their 4-1 triumph over the Central African Republic, proves they are a formidable side.
Despite this, he remains confident in Ghana’s ability to secure a positive result.
“They have a really, really good team, and surely we are also analyzing their last game. They had a big, big victory against the Central African Republic,” he noted.
“Like I said, it’s going to be very, very tough for us. But the preparation starts now. It’s good that we won, and we can focus on that now.”

Crucial kickoff time
The highly anticipated clash between Ghana and Madagascar is scheduled to kick off at 7:00 PM local time on Monday.
The outcome of the match could play a pivotal role in shaping Ghana’s journey toward securing a spot in the 2026 FIFA World Cup.