Ghana coach Addo aiming for victory against Austria in friendly

Ghana's head coach Addo has outlined his ambitions prior to the international friendly clash with Austria in Vienna this Friday, emphasising that the Black Stars are heading to Europe with the goal of securing a win rather than simply participating.

During his pre-match press briefing on Thursday, Addo adopted an assured and determined approach as his team gears up for the initial instalment of two prominent World Cup preparation games scheduled this month.

We aim to secure victory in every encounter we take part in, and this one is no exception, Addo assured journalists.

At present, our complete attention is directed towards Austria. We have observed their style, conducted a thorough analysis, and remain optimistic that the players will deliver the desired outcome.

Addo also highlighted the unpredictable aspects of contemporary international football while evaluating Ralf Rangnick's Austrian team, which has earned a spot in the World Cup for the first time in over two decades since 1998.

In today's football landscape, truthfully, any team has the potential to overcome any other, he remarked.

The encounter between Ghana and Austria is set for the Ernst Happel Stadion in Vienna on Friday, March 27th, beginning at 18:00 CET.

This match marks the opening of two consecutive friendlies during the March international period, followed by a trip to Stuttgart for Addo's squad to confront Germany on March 30th.

These games act as vital final preparations before the 2026 FIFA World Cup, in which Ghana finds itself in Group L with Panama, England, and Croatia.

Austria enters the contest as a disciplined and threatening European outfit, led by Real Madrid's David Alaba and featuring talents such as Marcel Sabitzer, Konrad Laimer, and Marko Arnautovic.

Team captain Jordan Ayew mirrored his coach's resolve during the press event, affirming that the group is in top condition as they approach the fixture.

We are committed to representing our nation effectively and performing strongly for it, so each match holds significance, stated the Leicester City striker. Tomorrow presents a challenging test, yet we will give our utmost.

Ayew expressed particular positivity regarding the sessions observed during the team's build-up in Vienna.

I believe our tactical, technical, and physical preparations have been thorough and effective. Over the past few days of practice, the signs have been encouraging.

The leader stressed handling each fixture individually, while recognising the wider implications of the international break.

We are set for tomorrow and hope to achieve a favourable outcome, he noted. Then, come Monday versus Germany, we will address that in due course.

The Ghanaian contingent reaches Vienna brimming with assurance. Antoine Semenyo, who recently lifted the Carabao Cup with Manchester City last Sunday and earned the Premier League Player of the Month award for February, stands out as one of the hottest prospects in English football currently.

Thomas Partey and Alexander Djiku have rejoined the setup, bringing expertise and skill to a collective that includes four newcomers without caps: Derrick Luckassen, Patrick Pfeiffer, Marvin Senaya, and Daniel Agyei.

This will represent the inaugural meeting between Ghana and Austria since their 1-1 stalemate at the identical location back in March 2007, and given the impending World Cup merely months distant, both countries possess ample motivation to tackle Friday's showdown with maximum effort.