Ghana’s head coach, Otto Addo, had high praise for debutant Forson Amankwaa. Despite Ghana’s 2-1 defeat against Nigeria in their debut friendly match at the Grande de Stade Marrakech in Morocco on Friday, March 22, 2024, Addo highlighted Amankwaa’s standout performance.
Speaking about Amankwaa’s contribution, Coach Addo emphasized the youngster’s resilience and impressive skills on the field. “He was really, really good. I mean he is a young guy, very good positioning, very firm on the ball and solid on the ball,” Addo remarked. He also noted Amankwaa’s ability to maintain composure in challenging situations, praising his defensive efforts as well.
Despite facing adversity, with Jerome Opoku receiving a red card in the 56th minute, Addo commended the team’s overall performance. He singled out Abdul Salis for his exceptional control of the game and highlighted the team’s collective effort in maintaining possession and pressuring the opponent, even with a numerical disadvantage.
Reflecting on specific players’ performances, Addo mentioned the contributions of Jordan, Semenyo, Tariq Lamptey, Ebenezer Annan, and Ernest Nuamah, acknowledging their efforts in creating scoring opportunities. He expressed regret over missed chances, particularly Antoine Semenyo’s header that could have secured an equalizer.
Looking ahead, despite the loss, Addo remains optimistic about the team’s potential, stating, “I think we have someone we can look up to in the coming years” in reference to Amankwaa’s promising debut.
Ghana will have another opportunity to showcase their abilities when they face Uganda on Tuesday, March 26, 2024. With lessons learned from their encounter against Nigeria, the Black Stars aim to bounce back and secure a positive result in their upcoming match.
