The Ghana Football Association has named a crack coaching squad for the 2022 World Cup playoffs against Nigeria next month.
The Football Association has appointed Borussia Dortmund trainer Otto Addo and will be assisted by Aston Villa U19 coach George Boateng and former Nordsjælland assistant coach Mas-Ud Didi Dramani.
Former Newcastle United and Brighton coach Chris Houghton has been named as the technical advisor of the team for the crucial match against Nigeria in March.
The Ghana FA and government appear to have found a middle ground in reaching a consensus on the technical direction of the team.
This appointment put to rest weeks of intense lobbying and speculation regarding the future of the four-time African champions.
The Ghana FA confirmed the latest appointment after a meeting of the Executive Council on Wednesday.
JUST IN: Ghana FA Executive Council decision on new Black Stars Technical Team for #WCQ2022 vs Nigeria 🇳🇬
Chris Hughton – Technical Advisor
Otto Addo – Head Coach
Did Dramani – Asst Coach
George Boateng – Asst CoachList to be submitted to @moysgovgh for approval pic.twitter.com/H77R2FaAW4
— Saddick Adams (@SaddickAdams) February 9, 2022
🇬🇭Ghana Update
Black Stars Technical Team for #WCQ2022 against a Nigeria 🇳🇬
Otto Addo – Head Coach
Chris Hughton – Technical Advisor
Did Dramani – Asst Coach
George Boateng – Asst Coach#blackstars #TeamGhana pic.twitter.com/nSs40yMRUX— George Addo Jnr (@addojunr) February 9, 2022
For the first time in the country’s history, the Black Stars failed to win a game at the Africa Cup of Nations.
The GFA has announced the new Black Stars technical team led by Otto Addo.
Former Newcastle United manager Chris Hughton has also been appointed as Technical Advisor to the team.#3Sports pic.twitter.com/DnTJXvjZJK
— #3Sports (@3SportsGh) February 9, 2022
Meanwhile, the team will be hoping to bounce back with the FIFA 2022 World Cup qualifiers play-offs slated for March this year.
Four-time champions Ghana were eliminated in the group stage of the Africa Cup of Nations with a 3-2 loss to tournament debutants Comoros, in a shocker that outweighed a string of surprises in Cameroon.
The team will immediately start preparations ahead of the crucial game against Nigeria in the pay-offs of the World Cup qualifiers.
Ghana performed poorly at the Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon, forcing the sack of Milovan Rajevac.
The Black Stars are hoping to make a return to the mundial after missing the 2018 edition in Russia.