Head coach of the Black Stars, Otto Addo, has explained his reason for playing left-back Gideon Mensah at the heart of defence.
The Bordeaux player was paired alongside Daniel Amarety in central defence in Ghana’s opening 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Madagascar.
Second half goals from Mohammed Kudus, Felix Afena-Gyan and Osman Bukari ensured Ghana cruised to a comfortable 3-0 win.
However, after the game Otto Addo had to explain why he started Mensah ahead of a natural centre-back.
“He played well against Nigeria and in free training. Especially when I know that we are the favourites [against Madagascar] and we have the ball more, I feel more comfortable if somebody can move with his left foot. Actually, our number 6, Baba [Iddrisu], was mostly free and it is more difficult, from the left side, to play to him with the right foot,” he said in the post-match presser.
“So if we have a natural left-footer, we can use that space more and we can play to Baba much easier than a right-footed player. That was the reason why I decided to play Gideon there. I know he is capable of good defending, he made some good tackles as well. Gideon is capable of so much more and maybe he doesn’t know.”
The Black Stars go top Of Group E after matchday 1 and will travel to the Central African Republic for the second game in three days time.
