Otto Addo criticizes set-piece defending after Ghana’s loss to Niger

Ghana coach Otto Addo has identified poor set-piece defending as a key factor in the Black Stars’ 2-1 defeat to Niger on Monday, which sealed their disappointing exit from the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers. Speaking after the match at the Accra Sports Stadium, Addo expressed his frustration with the team’s recurring defensive lapses, particularly from set-piece situations, which had haunted them throughout the qualification campaign.

Reflecting on the defeat, Addo said, “We started okay but conceded a goal from a set piece.

We were aware because the last time we met, they scored from a corner.

We surely need to defend set pieces better.

The loss to Niger marked another chapter in a difficult qualification series for Ghana, one in which they struggled to overcome fundamental defensive issues.

Addo’s comments highlighted a clear pattern of vulnerability from set pieces that undermined the team’s efforts throughout the campaign.

The 2-1 result left Ghana rooted at the bottom of Group F, with the Black Stars failing to secure a win in six matches.

The team finished with just three points, well behind group leaders Angola (14 points), as well as Sudan (8 points) and Niger (7 points).

For Addo and his team, the match represented yet another missed opportunity in what has been a challenging road to qualification for the 2025 AFCON.

Despite the overall disappointment, Addo took a moment to praise the contributions of the debutants, many of whom had little or no experience playing for the senior national team.

There are some positives, especially from players who hadn’t played before but did well today,” he said. While Ghana’s qualification campaign ended in failure, the inclusion of fresh faces provided a glimmer of hope for the future.

Addo’s assessment of the loss revealed the deep frustration felt by the coach, who acknowledged the Black Stars’ struggles across the qualifiers.

It seems everything is going against us,” he admitted, emphasizing the mental toll the team’s disappointing performances have had.

Despite a string of setbacks, the coach remains committed to rebuilding the team as they look ahead to future international challenges.