Ghana gaffer Otto Addo, has admitted making mistakes in the Black Stars’s international friendly defeat to Brazil on Friday night.
The Seleçao recorded a comfortable 3-0 victory at the Stade Oceane in Le Havre, France with a total dominance right from the start of the match.
Th five time World Champions extended their unbeaten run to fourteen matches with the resounding victory.
Brazil started the game on a blistering pace and gave Ghana’s defense a very tough time in the opening minutes of the match with fast attacking play.
Tottenham Hotspur striker, Richardlison was presented with an early opportunity to score but he fluffed his lines in the early stages of the match.
Moments later, Felix Afena Ohene-Gyan was put through on goal by Dennis Odoi but the youngster sent in a tame effort on goal against the run of play.
On the ninth minute mark, Paris St Germain Captain Marquinhos opened the scoring with a free header into the center of the net following a corner kick.
Richarlison finally got his goal with a swift finish on the 28th minute mark to make it 2-0 to the Brazilians.
Eleven minutes later, Richarlison was on a hat-trick as he grabbed his brace from a free-kick well delivered by Neymar six minutes to the end of the match.
After the break, Coach Otto Addo made two changes as Felix Afena Ohene-Gyan and Kamaldeen Sulemana were replaced by Mohammed Salisu and Inaki Williams for their debut.
Ghana grew in confidence and started attacking Brazil with Inaki Williams threatening the goal area of the five-time World Champions.
Ghana switched to 3-4-2-1 in the second half and certainly played better in the second half despite failing to score against the Brazilians who cruised to a comfortable win.
Later in the game, Tariq Lamptey was handed his debut as he came on to replaced Odoi in the second half
Speaking after the game, Otto Addo admitted that: “I think I made mistakes, I learnt a lot more about my players, and picking the next eleven (11) will depend on the performance in the next game”
Addo added that: “My selection was not a gamble,” Addo said after the game.
“It was a decision of complex things.
“Line up was good but we had to work harder to close the spaces.”
Meanwhile, Ghana will also on the 27th of September engage in another friendly against Nicaragua before they later play Switzerland on 17th November, 2022.
With the FIFA World Cup just around the corner, Brazil continued their ominous form by dispatching Ghana 3-0 in Le Havre, extending their unbeaten run to 14 matches with their fifth consecutive win against the Black Stars.
Brazil have forgotten what losing feels like, and their confidence was on display right from the off as they dominated proceedings. Richarlison fired over the bar from Lucas Paquetá’s cross before the latter pulled his shot just wide from Vinícius Júnior’s squared ball.
The Canarinho were soon ahead though when, after nine minutes, Marquinhos broke free from the clutches of his would-be markers to rise highest and head powerfully in from Raphinha’s corner for the opening goal of the night.
Vinícius Jr had the freedom of the left wing in the first half, and the Real Madrid man expertly picked out Raphinha at the far post with an outside of the foot pass, but he was unable to direct the ball in from close range.
The pressure continued to come from the five-time World Cup winners, and they were able to add two more goals before HT to ensure their dominance told on the scoreline.
Richarlison made up for his earlier miss when his shot from the edge of the area found the right corner, before the Tottenham Hotspur forward headed home from Neymar’s free-kick to give his team a three-goal lead at the interval.
The game, which was played in France to help reduce travel for the majority of both teams’ European based-players, lacked the tempo from the first half with Tite’s men content with their commanding lead. Otto Addo’s team did come close to pulling a goal back with the hour mark approaching when André Ayew’s header from a corner hit the bar and went over.
Ghana continued to battle away throughout the second period, but in truth they never looked like being able to restore some respectability to the scoreline. Brazil easily kept the Black Stars at bay as they continue to build momentum ahead of their quest for a sixth World Cup triumph in a couple of months’ time.
Ghana coach Otto Addo has named his starting lineup for the game against Brazil this evening in France.
The Black Stars team will face the five-time World Champions at the Stade Oceane in Le Havre in a Pre-World Cup friendly.
Kickoff is 18:30GMT
Below is the lineup:
Jojo Wollacott Denis Odoi Gideon Mensah Alexander Djiku Daniel Amartey Thomas Partey Andre Dede Ayew Jordan Ayew Kudus Mohammed Kamaldeen Sulemana Felix Afena-Gyan
Communications Director of the Ghana Football Association [GFA], Henry Asante Twum says Otto Addo is building a team that will be difficult for opponents to crack down on.
Otto Addo’s side will be tested when they come up against Brazil in an international friendly at the Le Harve in France.
New players who switched nationality, Inaki Williams, Tariq Lamptey, Mohammed, and other players are expected to make their debut for the team.
“I think we have a good team. I think we are building a very strong team. A team with Joseph Wollacot, Tariq Lamptey, Alidu Seidu, Baba Rahman, Gideon Mensah, Ambrosius, Salisu, Dziku, Inaki Williams, Issahaku, etc,” the Communications Director told SVTV Africa.
“These are top professionals, and if you can build a team out of these names, you will be unbeatable. We have quality in the team. Age is on our side. On average, we have a team that has 22-year-olds. It indicates that the future is bright and the future stars tomorrow.”
He added that he doesn’t expect any new additions to the team ahead of the World Cup.
“As things stand, I can confidently say no. We’ve gone through a long journey with the qualifications and have tested the players. I’m sure your question has to do with bringing in some of the players whose names have popped up, but as things stand, I don’t think that is likely to happen.
“I wouldn’t say when a player is doing well in Europe or the domestic front, he wouldn’t be given the chance. I’m not in a position to say that. Anything is possible,” Henry added.
The game has been scheduled to kick off at 18:30GMT. The Black Stars will take on Nicaragua on Tuesday in another friendly game.
The games form part of Ghana’s preparations for the 2022 World Cup which kick off from November 200 to December 18.
Ghana will face Brazil on Friday, 23rd September in an international friendly as part of preparations for the upcoming world cup in Qatar later this year.
The two sides notably faced off in the 2006 world cup and the Black Stars were beaten 3-0.
Ghana and Brazil have had a long relationship since then and the two sides will go head to head this Friday.
According to sources close to the Brazilian camp, there have been several tactics that are being adopted by their head coach and the match against Ghana could be an avenue to test these tactics and formation.
The source revealed that Brazil are testing a 4-2-3-1 formation in training with Real Madrid’s Eder Militao being a makeshift Right back in the backline as well as Tottenham’s Richarlison spearheading the attack.
Neymar is deployed in the number 10 role with Raphinha and Vinicius the wide wingers. Casemiro and Paqueta are the sitting defensive midfielders whereas Thiago Silva, Marquinhos and Alex Telles occupy the last places in the backline.
Alisson is also favoured ahead of Ederson in this line up.
Communications Director of Hearts of Oak, Kwame Opare Addo says his side are ready to face Asante Kotoko on match week three of the Ghana Premier League.
The Phobians are yet to win a game this season after picking up only one point against Aduana Stars and Great Olympics in their first two matches.
Kotoko will open their 2022/23 Premier League campaign against the Phobians at the Baba Yara Stadium. The game is scheduled to kick off at 15:00 GMT.
“We (Hearts of Oak) are ready and the team is in good shape to face Kotoko on Sunday we will surely beat Kotoko on Sunday, Kwame Opare Addo told Original 91.9FM.
The Porcupine Warriors head into the Super clash on the back of a shock elimination from the CAF Champions League qualifiers.
Kotoko lost 3-1 on penalties to Burkinabe side RC Kadiogo at the Baba Yara stadium last Sunday.
“We are very disappointed in Kotoko for their exit in the CAF Champions League against Kadiogo,” Opare Addo added.
Coach Otto Addo has had the opportunity to lead his lads in training sessions this week, as they prepare to take on football powerhouse Brazil on Friday evening in France.
Having had the chance of engaging his players at the training grounds, coach Otto Addo will be coming up with a formation that is potent to go head to head against the blistering attack of Brazil.
Coach Otto Addo could go for 3-4-3 formation that will ensure the defense is sealed while the attack can get goals, as Kudus Mohammed could lead attack.
Goalkeepee Joseph Wollacott could take care of the goal post as seen in recent games.
Salisu Mohammed, Alexander Djiku and Daniel Amartey will line up as three defenders.
In midfield, four players come up and they are Gideon Mensah, Tariq Lamptey, Dede Ayew and Thomas Partey. Gideon Mensah and Tariq Lamptey will be playing as wing backs.
In attack, Inaki Williams and Jordan Ayew will be playing on the right and left side respectively, while Kudus Mohammed plays as striker as confirmed by the head coach during his encounter with the media on Thursday.
Hearts of Oak legend, Bernard Don Bortey has tipped Hearts of Oak to easily cruise past Asante Kotoko in the Super Clash this weekend.
The two most glamorous clubs in the country will lock horns in the Ghana Premier League on Sunday, September 25, 2022.
Speaking to Boss FM in an interview, Bernard Don Bortey stressed that it will be impossible for Asante Kotoko to beat his former club with their current inexperienced side.
“How can this Asante Kotoko use this inexperienced players to beat Hearts of oak on Sunday,” the Hearts of Oak legend said.
Bernard Don Bortey further stressed that if Asante Kotoko are not careful, Hearts of Oak will thrash the team by more than four goals.
“My fear for Kotoko is that they should be careful else Hearts will score them 4 goals to nil like we did to them sometime ago,” Don Bortey said.
Brazil will host Ghana in International friendly Friday 23rd September, 2022 at Stade Océane in France. The game is used as strong preparations for both teams ahead of the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
The South American giants as well as the African side head into World Cup finals with high recognition on the international scene. Brazil is the most decorated nation in the FIFA World Cup with 5 titles while Ghana hold one of the best African records at the tournament becoming the first ever African country to reach round of 16 in their maiden appearance at the FIFA World Cup in 2006.
Brazil are the most successful country at the World Cup finals with 73 wins from their 109 total games while Ghana are the first African country to better their record at the global tournament after becoming the first African country to qualify to 1/16 and quarter-finals in two consecutive World Cups in Germany 2006 and South Africa 2010.
Ghana has been placed in Group H along with Portugal, Uruguay and South Korea in Qatar 2022 while Brazil are in Group G facing Serbia, Switzerland and African side Cameroon in the group stage phase.
Ahead of Qatar’s tournament in November, both Brazil and Ghana have seen it necessary to test themselves amid Cameroon and Uruguay oppositions respectively. After Ghana’s clash on Friday, Brazil will play another African side Tunisia on Tuesday 27th September.
Brazil comes into Ghana’s friendly as the favourite side due to their galaxy of stars and general records against the Black Stars.
Counting on their records, Ghana and Brazil have met four times with the Black Stars seeing the darkest side of results in all meetings. Brazil have won all four games with the Seleção thrashing Ghana 8-2 in the first ever meeting in Pre – Summer Olympic Games international friendly match in 1996 in Sao Paulo, Brazil.
After a decade, Ghana faced Brazil in high a morale game but the Black Stars were defeated 3-0 in round 16 of Germany 2006 FIFA World Cup.
Prior to the knockout clash, Ghana had held Italy in a tight Group E open-day defeat, thanks to Andrea Pirlo and Vincenzo Iaquinta goals that sealed Azzurri’s 2-0 win over the Black Stars in Germany.
Ghana then beat highly ranked Czech Republic and the USA in the last two group games before heading into the knockout phase with a last-16 tie against Brazil. Many Ghanaian football fans thought the Black Star will claim a revenge from the 90 loss but Ghana were humiliated by star-studded Brazil squad led by Ronaldinho and Ronaldo Nazário.
Ronaldo opened the scores after just 5′ minutes into the game before Adriano and Zé Roberto completed a 3-0 score line as Brazil run riot over Ghana for a second time. In 2007, Vágner Love’s lone goal hand Brazil their third victory over Ghana though the Black Stars closely contested Brazil at Raasunda Stadion – Solna in Sweden.
Brazil finally hand Ghana their fourth loss in 2011 through Leandro Damião late first half goal at Craven Cottage.
With Brazil scoring a total of 13 goals, Ghana have managed to score only 2 goals against the Seleção. Two players Lúcio and Ronaldinho have been the most capped Brazilian players in this tie making three appearance each- 2006, 2007 and 2011.
Ghana’s Richard Kingston is the most capped player of this tough clash having featured in all four games in 1996, 2006, 2007 and 2011. Richard Kingston was being rushed unconscious to hospital in the 1996 game, where he was detained overnight, when his team conceded the second goal against their Brazilian counterparts.
By the time he came, the final score line was a staggering 8-2 rout at the Teixeirao Stadium in Sao Jose do Rio Preto.
1996 starting lineups
Brazil XI: Dida, Aldair, Flavio Concecaio, Luizao, Rivaldo, Savio (Abreu Marques) Amiral’ (Marcelino) , Juninho'(Paulo Roberto) , Ze Maria’ (Ze Elias) , Alexandre Lopes, Andre Luis.
Ghana XI: Richard Kingston/ Ibrahim Mohammed, Osei Kufffour, Jacob Nettey, Stephen Baidoo, Justice Ampah, Mallam Yahya/Nii Aryee Welbeck, Felix Aboagye, Odartey Lamptey, Osumanu Amadu/Dan Addo, Tony Yeboah, Emmanuel Duah.
Ahead of the current upcoming game in France, Brazil have named a strong 26-man squad to face Otto Addo’s men. The likes of Neymar, Casemiro, Firmino, Vinicius Jr, Fabinho, Fred and Antony have all been called-up. Brazil have almost all the top European clubs, Barcelona, Manchester United, Liverpool, Real Madrid, Chelsea, Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain on their latest shortlist.
PSG forward Neymar leads Brazil squad for the game with the likes of Tottenham’s Richarlison, Real Madrid duo Vinicius Jr and Rodrygo expected to provide support up front against Ghana’s solid backline. Neymar and Vini Jr are expected to start while Rodrygo’s chances for a starting place remain a huge doubt.
With these names and the addition of Manchester United’s Antony, Barcelona’s Raphinha and Liverpool’s Firmino, Brazil look more dangerous in attack with more quality options than Ghana. But there has been an upgrade in Black Stars attack following the call-up of new breed of attacking players.
Ghana would have already threatened Brazil with their traditional attackers Andre Ayew, Kudus Mohammed and Jordan, and have further strengthened the attacking lines with Ransford-Yeboah Königsdörffer, Athletico Bilbao’s forward Inaki Williams and Bristol City’s Antoine Selorm Semenyo who all have received their debut Black Stars call-up prior to the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
The latest three are not the only debutants for Ghana as Chelsea academy graduate and Brighton and Hove Albion right-back Tariq Lamptey, top class Southampton center-back Mohammed Salisu and Stephan Kofi Ambrosius receive Black Stars call-up sending the total debutants to six players.
With Brazil stronger than Ghana in attack, the South American side are matched in midfield. Man United’s Casemiro and West Ham’s Lucas Paquetá are expected to start in center of the pitch with substitution options from Fred and Liverpool destroyer Fabinho where the Brazilians face stiffer opposition from Arsenal man Thomas Partey, Freiburg’s Daniel-Kofi Kyereh, Iddrisu Baba Mohammed of Real Mallorca and Ajax sensation Mohammed Kudus.
Of combined Brazil-Ghana midfielders, no one has scored more goals than Mohammed Kudus with the 22-year old netting 6 times in 9 appearances in the Champions League and Eredivisie so far though the Ghanaian International has usually been deployed at the false 9. Kudus undoubtedly head into Friday’s game as Ghana’s danger man just as Neymar who has struck 8 times/7 assists in 8 league games for PSG leads Brazil.
Neymar will continued his chase for Brazil all-time top scorer award trailing Pele by 3 goals with the PSG attacker netting 74 goals in 119 matches for Brazil since scoring on his debut game against the United States on 10 August 2010.
He surpassed Ronaldo’s total of 62 goals with a hat-trick in a 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification match against Peru in October 2020.
Casemiro who has been dropped at Man United would have to be at work like his Real Madrid days to overcome Thomas Partey who arguable has been one of the standout performers for Arsenal this season. Partey is advanced at Black Stars than club side, a potential source of goal for Ghana in Friday’s game than Casemiro for Brazil. But both players are surrounded by different set of players and could be used at different positions in the game.
For the backline, Brazil appears to be riding on both experience and form with the presence of Chelsea’s Thiago Silva, PSG Marquinhos and Real Madrid Eder Militao while Ghana; Tariq Lamptey, Mohammed Salisu, Daniel Amartey and Alexander Djiku face the Selecao with hungry-for-success passion.
Team New- Brazil
On Monday, Brazil opened camp for Ghana clash at Stade Océane as all 26 players arrived in France to begin preparations for the game on Friday. Brazil are three days into their preparations with no injury concern as it stands now. This means Tite has a full house to make his first eleven. Tite has been implementing several tactics in training sessions ahead of game but the Brazil boss is more likely to begin the game with a 4-3-3 system on Friday evening.
Brazil squad at camp
Goalkeeper: Alison, Ederson, Weverton
Defenders: Danilo, Alex Sandro, Alex Telles, Bremer, Eder Militao, Marquinhos, Ibanez, Thiago Silva
Midfielders: Bruno Guimaraes, Casemiro, Fabinho, Fred, Lucas Paqueta, Everton
Ghana also opened camp with initial 24-players in France on Monday. Stars that missed at first wave of reporting were Southampton defender Mohammed Salisu and Tariq Lamptey but the EPL duo joined their teammates on Tuesday.
Ghana have a full house ahead of Friday’s game as boss Otto Addo handed big selection problem. Tite has been relief of this problem having been at his post for a longer time and dealt with the numbers (first XI) out of the numbers (players called) on many occasions.
Ghana squad at camp
Goal-keepers: Richard Ofori (Orlando Pirates) Abdul Manaf Nurudeen (KAS Eupen) Joseph Wollacott (Charlton Athletic)
Defenders: Denis Odoi (Club Brugge) Tariq Lamptey (Brighton and Hove Albion) Alidu Seidu (Clermont Foot) Abdul Rahman Baba (Reading FC) Gideon Mensah (AJ Auxerre) Alexander Djiku (Racing Strasbourg) Mohammed Salisu (Southampton FC) Daniel Amartey (Leicester City) Joseph Aidoo (Celta Vigo) Stephan Kofi Ambrosius (Karlsruher SC)
Midfielders: Thomas Partey (Arsenal FC) Iddrisu Baba Mohammed (Real Mallorca) Elisha Owusu (KAA Gent) Daniel-Kofi Kyereh (SC Freiburg) Mohammed Kudus (AFC Ajax) Andre Ayew (Al Sadd FC)
Wingers: Kamaldeen Sulemana (Stade Rennes) Daniel Afriyie Barnieh (Hearts of Oak) Abdul Fatawu Issahaku (Sporting Lisbon) Osman Bukari (Red Star Belgrade) Ransford-Yeboah Königsdörffer (Hamburger SV) Jordan Ayew (Crystal Palace) Antoine Selorm Semenyo (Bristol City)
Strikers: Inaki Williams (Athletic Bilbao) Felix Afena-Gyan (US Cremonese) Benjamin Tetteh (Hull City)
TV Coverage
The game will be live in Ghana, Brazil and in many other African countries. The game will be live on Max TV, Globe TV, Woezor TV all in Ghana. BeING Sports across French speaking countries while SuperSport will show the game for South Africans.
