Before the duel with Germany
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Ghana’s national coach Otto Addo is looking forward to the international match against Germany despite the failed dress rehearsal. “I was born and grew up in Germany and now live in Düsseldorf – it will be a very special game for me,” said the 50-year-old in an interview with the “Funke” media group.
The test match between the two World Cup participants on Monday evening in Stuttgart (8:45 p.m./ARD) came about rather by chance. “We came up with it over breakfast in Washington,” revealed the 50-year-old. The Ghanaian Football Association was accommodated in the same hotel as the German Football Association during the World Cup draw. “When it was clear that Germany would play against Ivory Coast, I was asked by Julian Nagelsmann, Rudi Völler and Andreas Rettig whether we were interested in a friendly,” said Addo, whose team clearly lost 5-1 against Austria on Friday evening.
At the World Cup taking place in the USA, Canada and Mexico, Ghana will face England, Croatia and Panama in the group stage. With a squad value of 197.28 million euros, the Black Stars are clearly behind the Three Lions with 1.62 billion euros, but also behind the Croatians with 282.30 million euros. “We have nothing to lose,” emphasized Addo. Teams like Ghana are often underestimated, “and that can be exactly our chance,” said the ex-Bundesliga professional.
Surprising nominations at Ghana
The squad for the game against the DFB selection includes Derrick Köhn from Union Berlin, Jonas Adjetey from VfL Wolfsburg and, somewhat surprisingly, central defender Patric Pfeiffer from second division team Darmstadt 98. All of them played against Austria. “Derrick was also there at the last international matches and did well overall. I’m happy for Patric that, based on his performances, he has recommended himself for the national team again and now has the opportunity to show himself in this period,” said Addo.
In addition, striker Ransford Königsdörffer from Hamburger SV was nominated. He also got a few minutes against the ÖFB team. Addo on the 24-year-old’s World Cup chances: “He can show himself now. It’s a tight race for us in the attack, because we have an oversupply there – with many similar types of players like Ransi, who are perhaps a bit ahead. He’s a great guy, a good player and the development is going in the right direction, because he also scored a few goals in the second series. The World Cup train has definitely not left the mark for him.”
