Ghana’s national football team, the Black Stars, recently announced their squad for the upcoming 2026 World Cup qualifiers, and one name that stood out was Edmund Addo. The inclusion raised eyebrows due to Addo’s limited playing time at the club level.
However, head coach Chris Hughton has offered insights into the decision, justifying the selection of the talented midfielder.
Edmund Addo has faced challenges in securing regular playing minutes for his club, Red Star Belgrade in Serbia. Despite this, Hughton sees immense potential in the player and believes that Addo’s attributes can significantly contribute to the Black Stars’ success in the World Cup qualifiers.
In a recent press conference, Hughton addressed concerns surrounding the 23-year-old’s lack of playing time at the club level. The coach highlighted Addo’s qualities, both on and off the pitch, as reasons for his inclusion in the national squad. Hughton emphasized the importance of having a well-balanced team that combines experienced players with emerging talents, and he sees Addo as a promising asset.
“We are very aware of the circumstances surrounding Patric Pfeiffer. We are working on that. With regards to Edmund Addo, he’s somebody that we like and somebody we value. We have to keep consistency in the team. There is a lot of choice and what I can’t afford to do is bring five or six new players into the squad. We have to get the right balance”
The decision to include a player with limited recent game experience is not unprecedented, and coaches often weigh factors beyond recent playing time.
Hughton’s confidence in Addo’s abilities suggests that the coaching staff values the defender’s skill set, professionalism, and potential contributions to the team dynamic.
The Black Stars will face Madagascar on Friday at the Baba Yara Stadium in their first match of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers before travelling to Moroni to face Comoros on Tuesday.
