Sudan’s assistant coach hits back at Otto Addo over 'Sudan were lucky' claims

Ignatius Osei-Fosu, the assistant coach of Sudan, has responded to Ghana coach Otto Addo’s remarks about the Falcons of Jediane being lucky against the Black Stars of Ghana. Sudan and Ghana played to a goalless draw in November 2024.

Ghana was ultimately the better side, creating numerous chances but failing to convert any of them. They managed seven shots on target, all of which were saved by Sudan’s goalkeeper.

After the game, Otto Addo, who was under severe pressure as Ghana’s chances of qualifying for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations began to slip away, made comments during a press briefing ahead of the second leg in Morocco.

Addo claimed that Sudan got lucky in the first leg and expressed confidence that they wouldn’t enjoy the same luck in the second leg.

However, Ghana went on to lose 2-0 to Sudan in the second leg, a result that effectively ended their AFCON qualification hopes.

Addressing the issue during an interview with Luv FM, Osei-Fosu hit back at the former Borussia Dortmund assistant coach, claiming that Addo’s statement showed arrogance.

However, he was quick to play down any bad blood, explaining that such comments are often made instinctively after a game.

“That is also a little bit of arrogance, but for me, it’s part of the game. Anything we say at the press conference after the game, trust me, sometimes it is instinctive.

“You see the game; you’ve not even seen the analysis, so you’ll go like, ‘We created decent chances, and we were supposed to win,’” he explained.

He further stated that not losing against Ghana was far from luck and attributed it to Sudan’s remarkable defensive consistency.

“If a team has kept eight clean sheets before a game and then we keep a clean sheet again, you don’t say we’re lucky,” he added.

FKA/EK