Ghana coach Otto Addo has admitted that the rainy weather conditions played a significant role in the Black Stars’ thrilling 4-3 victory over the Central African Republic (CAR) on Monday.
The win was crucial for Ghana, propelling them to the top of Group I in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.
The match, held at the Baba Yara Stadium, saw a hat-trick from Jordan Ayew and a strike from Fatawu Issahaku, which ensured the Black Stars secured the hard-fought win.
The game was filled with excitement and goals, but it was also marked by rain, which Addo believes was beneficial to his team’s performance.
The match started with Ghana dominating as Ayew converted a penalty in the sixth minute. However, CAR quickly responded with two goals from Louis Mafouta, leading to a first-half advantage for the visitors.
Ghana came back stronger in the second half, with Ayew scoring two more goals and Issahaku adding another sensational strike.
Our man @_owurakuampofo was close to the action as Ghana beat Central African Republic and filed this report #3SportsGH pic.twitter.com/bg0gl0SWf3
— #3Sports (@3SportsGh) June 11, 2024
Otto Addo, speaking after the game, revealed that the rain played a part in their improved second-half performance.
“The rain helped us play better and move the ball faster. Thank you to God for letting it rain,” Addo stated. “The support from the start was massive. Even though we were down, they stayed by our side. Thank you very much, Kumasi, for coming out again.”
He also acknowledged that the first half was challenging for Ghana as they struggled to control the game and create opportunities upfront.
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“We had problems in the first half controlling the ball and finding solutions upfront. I take the blame. Maybe I wanted us to do too much, though we had a few days of training. We adjusted in the second half and deserved to win,” Addo admitted.
The victory places Ghana at the top of Group I with nine points, as they await the outcomes of the matches between Madagascar and Mali, and Chad and Comoros. The Black Stars are now in a strong position to continue their campaign for a place in the 2026 World Cup.