Otto Addo confident Black Stars can overcome Austria in Vienna friendly

Black Stars head coach Otto Addo has dismissed concerns about key injuries, insisting his squad possesses the quality needed to secure victory in Friday’s international friendly against Austria.

Ahead of the clash at Vienna’s Ernst Happel Stadium, Addo acknowledged the challenge posed by a disciplined Austrian side known for their high-intensity pressing style but expressed confidence in his team’s ability to execute their game plan.

“We’re very pleased to be here,” Addo told reporters at his pre-match press conference. “It will be a very, very interesting game tomorrow. We expect an intense game – as all Austria matches are. They have a coach who likes to press high, a little bit of the Red Bull school.”

The Ghana coach highlighted the quality within the Austrian ranks, singling out experienced figures such as David Alaba, while insisting his own squad is well-equipped to compete.

“They have a good team, but we will face them squarely,” Addo said. “We have a good squad to beat Austria. In football, anything is possible. Everyone can beat everyone – we saw it at the last World Cup.”

The Black Stars will be without key forwards Iñaki Williams and Brendan Thomas-Asante due to injury, but Addo views their absence as an opportunity for others to step forward.

“If somebody gets injured, it’s always not a good situation,” he said. “Iñaki had good form, and Brendan scored a lot of goals before his injury. I’m really sorry for them, but it will be a good possibility for others to show themselves. Ransford Königsdorffer has come in and been good.”

Addo emphasised the importance of the Austria fixture, as well as next week’s meeting with Germany, in Ghana’s preparations for the World Cup, where they will face European opponents Croatia and England in the group stage.

“It’s always important to play high-profile matches before the World Cup,” he said. “We have two European teams in our group, so it was imperative that we get the right opposition as we build up. We needed to prepare well, play some good matches – it is the reason why we are here.”

The match against Austria kicks off at 7:45 pm local time, with Ghana set to face Germany in their second European friendly next week.