Head coach of the Ghana national football team, the Black Stars, Otto Addo, says he is expecting a demanding encounter when his side face the Austria national football team in an international friendly on Friday.
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‎The match will be played at the Ernst Happel Stadium, with kick-off scheduled for 17:00 GMT, as Ghana continue their preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
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‎Speaking ahead of the game, Addo highlighted the challenge posed by Austria, who are coached by Ralf Rangnick, predicting a high-intensity contest.
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“It will be an interesting game. I am expecting an intense game, as all Austria matches are,” he said.
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‎The Ghana coach pointed to Austria’s physical approach and pressing style, noting that many of their players are based at top European clubs.
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‎“We know they are very good, very physical, a very high-intensity team, and they run a lot. The profile of their players is really high because they play in good clubs,” he added.
‎Despite the challenge, Addo expressed confidence in his squad’s ability to compete, describing the fixture as an important opportunity for the team to test themselves against European opposition.
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‎“It will be interesting for us after a very long time to play against a European team, and it will be a tough test for us,” he said.
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‎The friendly forms part of Ghana’s broader build-up to the World Cup, which will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.
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‎With expectations growing, Friday’s match is expected to provide valuable insight into the Black Stars’ readiness for football’s biggest stage.