By Kwame Bediako
Ghana head coach Otto Addo has urged his players to regroup swiftly after a demoralizing 5–1 defeat to Austria, insisting that the team must focus on improvement ahead of their next fixture against Germany.
Speaking at the Ernst Happel Stadium in Vienna, Addo admitted the result was disappointing but framed it as a moment for reflection rather than retreat.
“This is my job. I try to give the boys a positive result all the time even in the midst of defeat. We have to analyse this game well, even though we have little time,” he said.
Addo emphasized that the time between matches is short, but the need to fix visible flaws is urgent. “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,” he added.
He pointed to both tactical and mental lapses during the Austria game, citing a lack of cohesion and confidence as key reasons for the lopsided scoreline.
The Black Stars coach stressed that the team must draw lessons from the defeat, starting from the mindset of the players.
“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,” he said.
Addo underlined the importance of internal discussions to address issues that went wrong in Vienna, while also reinforcing belief and discipline within the squad.
Looking to the upcoming friendly against Germany in Stuttgart on Monday, 30 March, Addo said he still believes in the potential of his players.
He noted that the team must carry the right attitude into the match if they are to mount a competitive performance. “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,” he said, projecting confidence despite the setback.
The Black Stars are scheduled to face Germany at 18:45 GMT in Stuttgart, with the game serving as part of their broader preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
For Addo, the Austria defeat is a setback to learn from, not a reason to change course, as he presses his players to show resilience and growth in short order.
