Black Stars head coach, Otto Addo, has declared his intention to build a formidable and balanced team, rather than relying on individual brilliance, as Ghana prepares for the Unity Cup match in London.

Speaking to GhanaFA.org, following the release of his squad for the highly anticipated fixture, Addo explained that the inclusion of several young and relatively unknown players was part of a broader plan to establish a competitive and unified squad ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.

“We’re looking beyond individuals and focusing on building a strong team,” Addo stated, adding: “That’s why I’ve decided to give many of these young players a chance to play and prove themselves, with the aim of making them a key part of my team going forward.”

The 49-year-old coach, who is leading Ghana into a new era following a string of mixed results in past competitions, emphasised the significance of the Unity Cup in shaping his squad for future challenges, including the crucial World Cup qualifying matches against Chad and Mali in September.

“These two matches are extremely important for the team, just like the World Cup qualifiers. I believe this is the perfect time to closely observe the players we’ve been monitoring over the last few months,” he added.

Team building

Coach Addo acknowledges that building a cohesive national team takes time and a deliberate effort to provide equal opportunities for all players, especially emerging talents.

“Team building is a process that takes time. It’s not something that happens overnight. Therefore, this is a great opportunity to give some of our young players a chance to prove themselves.  Our aim is to create competition within the team, which can only be achieved by providing an equal platform for all our talents to showcase their skills,” he explained.

The Unity Cup also marks the return of several players, who have been out due to injuries or other reasons, providing a chance for reintegration and chemistry building.

“The Unity Cup comes at a crucial time for us. We’re excited to welcome back players, who have been absent for months, as well as integrate new players into the team,” Coach Addo concluded.