2025 AFCON qualifiers: Otto Addo reveals working ‘three times harder’ after Sudan defeat

AL RAYYAN, QATAR – NOVEMBER 28: Ghana manager Otto Addo celebrates to fans following the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Group H match between Korea Republic and Ghana at Education City Stadium on November 28, 2022 in Al Rayyan, Qatar. (Photo by Visionhaus/Getty Images)Black Stars head coach Otto Addo has revealed that he has intensified his preparations following Ghanas disappointing defeat to Sudan in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers last month.The 2-0 loss to Kwasi Appiahs Sudan in Libya has left Ghana in a precarious position, with the Black Stars now at risk of failing to qualify for the AFCON for the first time in 21 years. The tournament will be held in Morocco next year.Addo’s side is yet to register a win in the 2025 AFCON qualifying series.After naming a 25-man squad for the crucial upcoming matches against Angola and Sudan, Addo opened up about the hard work hes been putting in since the away loss and the disappointing 0-0 draw with Sudan in Accra.For me, I will always do my best, and after the last loss [against Sudan], I even worked three times harder, you know, the former Borussia Dortmund Talent Coach told reporters.And maybe to give you just an insight, surely my wife is not happy because I was not at home, surely.But this is life, you know; sometimes you have to work even more, even harder, to achieve what you want to do.Ghana faces Angola on Friday, November 15, 2024, at the Estdio 11 de Novembro in Luanda, before hosting Niger in their final qualifier at the Accra Sports Stadium on Monday, November 18.Currently sitting third in Group F with just two points from four matches, Ghana is five points behind second-placed Sudan and 10 points adrift of Angola, who top the group.With qualification now completely out of Ghanas hands, the Black Stars must win their remaining games and hope for Sudan to slip up in their final fixtures.A draw for Sudan would seal Ghanas fate, meaning they will miss out on the AFCON for the first time in two decades.