Otto Addo’s tactical setup is praised by Jerome Opoku following his competitive Ghana debut.
In his first competitive game, Ghanaian defender Jerome Opoku has attributed his smooth transition into the Black Stars’ starting lineup to coach Otto Addo’s tactical changes.
In Ghana’s game against Madagascar, the 26-year-old was given a starting position and played in a 3-5-2 configuration instead of the previous 4-1-4-1 one. He just had one training session to get used to it, but he gave a confident performance in the back.
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“I would say I was a little surprised to start against Madagascar, but as I said, I had always worked and looked forward to my time here,” Opoku told Flashscore.
His easy adjustment was greatly aided by his experience with a comparable setup at the Turkish club Basaksehir. He clarified, “It was easy for me because we’ve played with a three-back in my club a couple of times this season, so it was quite easy to settle in.”
Opoku also emphasized the significance of the coaching staff’s preparations, which made sure the players had a smooth transition. “It also helped really well because the coaches from Ghana really worked through it and came up with a clear plan for everyone to adopt,” he said.
With previous experience as a left-back during his time at Fulham’s academy, Opoku’s versatility adds depth to Ghana’s defense. His solid display contributed to a 3-0 victory over Madagascar, following a dominant 5-0 win against Chad. The Black Stars now sit three points clear at the top of their 2026 World Cup qualifying group.
