We defeated Nigeria without some key players – Ghana Coach Otto Addo

Black Stars coach Otto Addo says he knocked out Nigeria without some of his key players during the World Cup playoffs in March.

Addo, who announced his 26-man squad for the World Cup on Monday, November 14 explained that he had ten key Black Stars squad missing to either injury or suspension during their double-header clash with the Super Eagles.

Ghana edged Nigeria to qualify for Qatar via the away goal rule after the three-time African champions played a one-all draw with their rivals at the MKO Abiola Stadium in Abuja after the first leg ended goalless in Kumasi.

“The nerve-wracking play-off matches against Nigeria, we had some bad luck initially because we had a lot of injured players before the first game,” Addo said.

“I think I had to make do without eight players that I wanted to select. On top of that, two others were suspended. So, there were a lot of absentees, but that opened the door for new players, for debutants.

“There were a lot of question marks before the game against Nigeria but the boys adapted well to the different ways Nigeria play. We did well given the circumstances, with all the injuries, the new players and a new coaching team. There were mixed feelings at the end. It was only two days later that the penny dropped that we’d qualified for the World Cup. And it was a fantastic feeling.”

Ghana are in Group H alongside Portugal, South Korea, and Uruguay.