…Joe Addo trumpets from afar
Former Black Stars libero Joe Addo has joined the pro Milo crusade, trumpeting
from his US base, unflinching support for the Serbian trainer.
According to defender, the unparalleled record of coach Milo vis a vis his
predecessors merits his continue stay as the head coach of the Black Stars.
He has therefore, called on all to rally behind the coach rather than criticizing
him and calling for his head.
Speaking on Happy FM’s “Where are they?”morning programme yesterday, he mentioned
that: “If I get his post, I will gladly accept it but I will not criticize him
because I am interested.”
He pointed out that: “Ghanaians are fond of calling for coaches’ head. The coach
knows he will be fired if he fails so let’s allow him to operate freely.”
To Joe Addo, never in the history of Ghana soccer has a coach achieved what Rajevac
has chalked for the country-first country to qualify for the 2010 World Cup,
qualified the local components of the Stars to the maiden CHAN tourney, finished as
losing finalists IN THE 27TH Nations Cup in Angola etc.
The former Hearts of Oak, VFB Stuttgart, FSV Frankfurt player described the Black
Stars future as very bright, and called on all and sundry to pray for the players
and allow coach Milo a free hand to operate.
Having finished his coaching course in the US, Addo, the George Mason Men’s Soccer
Hall of famer revealed that he drew inspiration from former centre backs as Kuuku
Dadzie, Ahmed Rockson, Collins Paha, Isaac Acquaye in his formative playing years,
hence the resemblance in their play.
He, however, noted that coaches like the late Buckhard Ziese and his European club
coaches cautioned him about his style.
“Coach Ziese and other coaches in Europe realized that my style was risky because I
am the last man, and should I lose the ball, disaster will strike, but I was
confident and comfortable with my style,’ said the graduate cum now a coach.
Addo added that he after his successful soccer career in Ghana, he played in the US
league for five years.
Thereafter, he pursued a Business/Football Administration courses.
During his career at George Mason, he featured in 37 games, scoring eleven and six
assists.
He was the member of the bronze winning Olympic team in 92.
Addo recalls his 2-2 equalizer against Asante Kotoko with pride.
He noted that he loves playing before the Kumasi fans because he never faltered
playing at the then Kumasi Stadium(Baba Yara).
Among his playing mates-the Afo Dodoos, Kwame Ayews, Sammy Adjeis, Sammy Osei
Kuffuors, among others, he is very close to striker Augustine, who was even with
him at the time of the interview.
Charles Osei Asibey Br. (SBJ)
