Ghana coach Otto has opened up on how to get the best out of Athletic Club striker Inaki Williams as the forward aims to elevate his performance to meet expectations in Ghana colours.
The 30-year-old switched allegiance from Spain to represent the nation of his parent Ghana in 2022 but has struggled to the productive forward he is known for.
In 17 caps including World Cup and Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) appearances, Williams has only managed to find the back of the net on one occasion.
Responding to concerns raised about the forward’s disparity in performance with regards to club and country, Otto Addo believes, the gap can be closed by working well on the pitch to suit the player’s strength.
“Yeah, I think there are more things coming together. Surely one of the things is the players playing with him because he shows what he can in Spain so we also it’s not only like he has to adapt to let’s say the other players, but they have to adapt also to him,” he stated during the post-match conference of Ghana’s clash with Angola in the 2025 AFCON qualifiers.
Inaki Williams’ only goal for the Black Stars was scored in November 2023 when he met a diligent cross from Gideon Mensah in the dying embers of Ghana’s first 2026 World Cup qualifier against Madagascar in Kumasi.
“And we know what his strengths are. To run deep, to threaten the last line, the defenders, to go beyond that. And we have to use his qualities more. And for me it’s always both ways.
“Surely he can also make his game more flexible but also I think we also have to focus on how to put him in his best spot. And it’s running behind the defensive line, it’s about recognising situations when we in the midfield have the ball open or the defenders and to know where he’s running,” Addo added.
Inaki Williams aims to extend Ghana goal tally
Inaki Williams is returning to the Black Stars squad for a competitive game for the first time under Otto Addo after missing the previous games due to fitness.
“And yeah, I can’t really say how it was the last two years because I was not there, so it’s difficult for me to say why and it’s the first time he’s now there and surely this is a topic we will have to work on and to address.”
The Black Stars will host Angola on Thursday, September 5, 2024 at the Baba Yara Stadium with a kick-off time of 16:00 GMT.
