Otto Addo says his team is not planning revenge against Uruguay. Ghana’s triumph over South Korea has set up a meeting with Uruguay and given a new dimension to a game that was already loaded with significance for the Black Stars of Ghana
Many national team supporters are eager for retribution against the South Americans, who denied Ghana a place in the World Cup semi-finals in South Africa 12 years ago.
Luis Suarez’s infamous goal-line handball stopped Ghana from scoring an extra-time victory, with Asamoah Gyan missing the ensuing penalty as the West Africans fell 4-2 on penalties.
Ghana knows that if they win three points on Friday, they will go to the final 16 and eliminate Uruguay. If South Korea fails to beat Portugal in the other Group H game, a draw could be enough to advance.
Despite the increased spotlight on the game, Ghana coach Otto Addo says he is not a guy who thinks of retribution as his team prepares to face Uruguay.
He said – “It was really, really long time ago that this incident happened and I am a strong believer that if you don’t seek too much revenge on these kind of things, sometimes you get the blessings.”
“It will be very difficult but I am confident to know that we can win this game.”
Otto Addo stated that not only will his team and approach be different this time, but Uruguay will be a whole new team as well. Suarez, along with fellow striker Edinson Cavani and goalkeeper Fernando Muslera, started for Uruguay in Soccer City in Johannesburg, but Andrew Ayew is the lone survivor from the Black Stars squad.
“It is a different approach, a different team,” Addo continued.
“They have very good strikers, lots of experience and they are a very compact, very good team.
“It will be very difficult just like every match. We said before the tournament started every game will be on edge, and we have to be at our best to beat them,” Otto Addo concluded.
