Ishmael Addo, the former Ghanaian striker, has shared a surprising anecdote about his early days with the national team, revealing that he was advised to avoid wearing the Black Stars’ iconic no.10 jersey during his first call-up.
In the year 2000, upon receiving his debut call-up, Addo found himself in a perplexing situation. Both Stephen Appiah and CK Akonnor, prominent figures in the team, avoided the no.10 jersey. Despite his desire to don the number, Addo’s Hearts of Oak teammate Jacob Nartey cautioned him against it.
Amidst the uncertainty, Addo recalled how devoted Hearts of Oak fans intervened in a unique manner. They soaked the no.10 jersey in salt water before he wore it for the game.
Addo, now 47, revealed that this unconventional introduction to the national team didn’t deter him. In fact, he went on to score on his Black Stars debut, a moment that marked the beginning of his journey with the national team.
“When we arrived in the dressing room, the senior players had their team, and coach Dossena asked me to join the first 18. Everyone picked and left the jersey no.10,” he said in an interview with Dan Kwaku Yeboah.
“There was Stephen Appiah and CK Akonnor who both wore the no.10 but in that particular game against Sierra Leone, everyone left the No. 10.”
Reflecting on the situation, Addo shared, “Minutes later, Jacob Nettey came and instructed me not to pick it. Why would the senior players leave it and allow you to wear it? Coach Dossena arrived and asked why then I narrated it to him.”
“Jacob Nettey then went to E.T Mensah who was then the Sports Minister and he together with the late Alhaji M.N.D Jawula who was then the FA President and they all stopped me from wearing the jersey.
He continued, “Nettey later came and said he has been asked by fans of Hearts to soak the jersey in salty water before I wear it. I wore it and I was scored in that particular game as my debut goal for the Black Stars.”
Addo, a Hearts of Oak legend, was part of the team’s remarkable achievement in 2000, clinching the treble of Ghana Premier League, FA Cup, and CAF Champions League titles.
