Ghana coach Otto Addo says goalkeeper Jojo Wollacott faces challenges in reclaiming his spot as Black Stars’ number one.
Wollacott, who was the first-choice goalkeeper for the Black Stars until an injury just before the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, has struggled for game time since then, with his last appearance for the team dating back to June 2022.
Lawrence Ati-Zigi took over as the first-choice goalkeeper in Qatar, and Richard Ofori replaced him for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations tournament in Ivory Coast. With Ofori not included in the squad for this month’s qualifiers, Ati-Zigi featured in Friday’s match against Nigeria, impressing Addo despite the 2-1 loss.
Asked about the goalkeeper situation ahead of Tuesday’s match against Uganda, Addo stated, “I am not quite sure yet. I left it open. I have to say that Lawrence Ati-Zigi had a good match. I gave him the start because he is a regular player in his club. Frederick [Asare] is new and young. I think he made a good first impression. He is very, very calm on the ball and has good technique in the goal.”
Regarding Wollacott’s current situation, Addo explained, “Joseph Wollacott at the moment is not playing in his club so it’s difficult to say that he will be the number one at the moment but I think tomorrow I will give him the chance to play and to show himself and we will keep on watching them and observing them and we will decide in June who will be the goalkeeper who will stand in the goal.”
Despite the defeat to Nigeria and being winless in their last six games, Addo expresses confidence ahead of the Uganda match at the Stade de Marrakech.
“It’s a different set-up, different hurdles for this match,” he said. “I think this match we go as favorites but still it won’t be easy; we have been preparing like two or three systems which will suit the game.”
“But I think if they come the way we expect, we have a good chance to beat them. I think the boys did well in training, a lot of the patterns look good and we still have to be aware, they have their qualities and we have to be concentrated but we are looking forward to this match, especially because we lost the first match we now want the victory.”