Nigeria had matured team than Ghana – Otto Addo

Ghana coach Otto Addo says his side’s 2-1 defeat to Nigeria in the 2025 Unity Cup was due to Nigeria’s maturity and experience.

Speaking at a press conference after the match, Addo explained that Ghana improved after the break, but Nigeria’s ability to adapt quickly gave them the upper hand.

“We had problems getting into the duels to press well and defend well,” he admitted, pointing out that the Black Stars were missing key players such as Thomas Partey, Mohammed Kudus, and Antoine Semenyo.

“I think Nigeria had a more matured team who could adapt faster,” he added.

Despite the loss, the coach remained positive about the efforts of some of the younger players in the squad.

“The young players did really well. They are still learning, trying to improve. We’ve gotten a whole lot of answers from our coaching staff,” Addo said.

Ghana struggled in the first half, conceding twice and falling behind early. Although they played better in the second half and pulled one goal back, it wasn’t enough to overturn the result as Nigeria booked their place in the final.

With the win, Nigeria will now face Jamaica, who defeated Trinidad and Tobago 3-2 in the other semifinal. The final is expected to be a thrilling match between two sides that have shown strong form during the tournament.

Ghana, on the other hand, will now focus on the third-place playoff against Trinidad and Tobago. Otto Addo and his team will hope to bounce back with a win on Saturday to end their Unity Cup campaign on a positive note.

Caption: Otto Addo