Ghana defender Jerome Opoku has credited head coach Otto Addo’s tactical system for easing his transition into the Black Stars’ starting lineup in his first competitive appearance.
The 26-year-old centre-back was handed a starting role against Madagascar in a 3-5-2 formation, a tactical shift from the 4-1-4-1 setup used in the previous match. Despite having just one training session to adapt, Opoku delivered an assured performance at the heart of Ghana’s defense.
“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.
Having already played in a similar system with his club, İstanbul Başakşehir, Opoku found it easier to settle into the new setup.
“It was easy for me because, in my club, we’ve played with a three-back a couple of times this season, so it was quite easy to settle in,” he said. “The coaches of Ghana really worked through it and came up with a clear plan for everyone to adopt, so that also helped really well.”
Opoku’s versatility, having previously operated as a left-back during his time at Fulham’s academy, has made him a valuable addition to Ghana’s defensive setup.
His composed display contributed to Ghana’s commanding 3-0 victory over Madagascar, which followed a resounding 5-0 win against Chad. The Black Stars now sit three points clear at the top of their group in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.
