Top football guns including Otto Addo, Asamoah Gyan, Stephen Appiah and others have shared divergent views regarding the Black Stars group for the 2026 World Cup tournament.
The West African football heavyweights were drawn in Group L alongside England, Croatia and Panama following Friday’s draw in Washington.
Ghana will open their World Cup account against Panama on June 17 in Toronto before taking on England on June 23 in Boston. The Black Stars will wrap up their group games against 2018 finalists, Croatia in Philadelphia on June 27.
The group has attracted different opinions from coach Otto Addo and other former footballers, who believes the Black Stars are paired in a tough group.
Others were of the view the Black Stars can compete at the biggest soccer mundial irrespective of the opponent faced.
For Ghana coach Otto Addo, the Black Stars are paired in a ‘tough but doable’ at the global showpiece.
“It’s a tough group, it’s doable. There are worse groups, to be honest,” he said. “I’m happy, especially for our fans on the East Coast of the USA, that they will be able to see us. Also, for this I’m very happy.”
Ghana’s assistant coach John Paintsil expressed the Black Stars can stand any task at the mundial, considering the squad at their disposal.
“[Group L is] a group that Ghanaians cannot underrate. Forget about the names. It’s a tournament that we are going to. I believe it’s a group that will bring the best out of the team,” he said.
“Looking at our performance during the qualification, it was fantastic. And, looking at the players that we have, we have many players who are equally very good and can stand any task,” Paintsil added.
Asamoah Gyan, who is the all-time topscorer for the Black Stars stressed Ghana can compete in the group.
“It’s a tough group, it’s doable. There are worse groups, to be honest,” he said. “I’m happy, especially for our fans on the East Coast of the USA, that they will be able to see us. Also, for this I’m very happy.”
Meanwhile, Anthony Baffoe has called on Ghanaians to move away from obsessing over a ‘favourable draw’.
“What is a favourable group? Can you tell me? Look, this is a World Cup and when you go to a World Cup, you have to be prepared to play against any opponent,” Baffoe said.
“Preparation is very important and creating good team spirit in camp is key, and management must go the extra mile to prepare the boys with the right mentality and until then anything is possible,” he added.
Stephen Appiah, who led the Black Stars to the quarterfinals of the World Cup has fired warning to Ghana’s opponent, expressing optimism about the team’s chances.
“England, Croatia, Ghana and Panama, we are COMING!” He wrote on Instagram.
Laryea Kingston, on the other side, has warned the Black Stars not to underestimate any opponent at the mundial.
Laryea Kingston “Ghana is in a tough group. I will advise the Black Stars not underestimate Panama. Their qualification to the tournament was not just by fluke” he said.
Source:Mybrytfmonline.com/Sylvester Ntim
