The Black Stars’ pre-match preparations in Vienna have been hit by a string of reported thefts at the team hotel, casting a shadow over their upcoming friendly against Austria.
The Ghanaian national team touched down on Sunday and hit the training pitch by Monday to ramp up their intensity. However, the mood soured after Wednesday’s third session when two players discovered that their Rolex watches collectively valued at around $20,000 had vanished, according to reports from Sporty FM.
The trouble didn’t stop there. The following day, a member of the technical staff realized that $2,250 in cash had also been pilfered from the premises. While team officials wasted no time alerting the local police, the investigation has hit a major roadblock: hotel management reportedly informed authorities that the building's security cameras were out of service at the time.
Despite the off-field distractions, the Black Stars are trying to keep their professional focus. They are still set to face Austria at the Ernst-Happel-Stadion this evening, with the action kicking off at 17:00 GMT.
Following tonight's match, Head Coach Otto Addo and his squad will head to Stuttgart for another heavyweight clash against Germany on Monday, March 30. Both of these friendlies are seen as essential "stress tests" for the team as they fine-tune their tactics for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America.
Tonight’s game marks the first time Ghana and Austria have shared a pitch since their 1-1 draw at this very same stadium back in March 2007. With the World Cup looming, expectations are high for a high-energy, purposeful performance from both sides.
Coach Addo is hunting for a decisive result tonight, hoping a win against the Austrians will provide the mental boost the squad needs before stepping into the ring with the Germans