Joe Addo: Backing Ghana's local talent

Tampa Bay Mutiny's stylish centre-half, Joe Addo has backed Black Stars coach Cecil Jones Attuquayefio's decision to leave out Ghana's foreign-based stars for last month's World Cup qualifier against Nigeria.

The former Ghana skipper, who has over 40 caps to his name, sides with those who believe that the Black Stars would be better served by a squad dominated by local players.

"I think it is about time that they stopped depending on the foreign-based players," Addo told tribalfootball.com.

"It was a good thing for the team and also the coach."

Ghana managed to hold a star-studded Nigeria to a 0-0 draw and then rewarded Attuquayefio with his first victory as manager with a 3-0 thumping of Congo in an African Nations' Cup qualifier.

In that team, only one overseas-pro featured - Parma's Stephen Appiah.

Addo, who has just turned 30, has seen his international career on hold since his move to the USA's MLS almost two years ago.

But the former VfB Stuttgart and Sparta Rotterdam defender hints that after a number of discussions with Attuquayefio, a Black Stars return is a real possibility.

"We have had a lot of discussions and I know he (Attuquayefio) wants me back for my leadership qualities.

"But at the moment, I can't go back because my wife just had a baby and I want to be there for her."

Addo rejects the idea that his international career has suffered since his move to Tampa Bay.

"I don't think so because it was my choice.

"I lived in Europe for seven years, learning all these languages in all these countries.

"I have 45 caps for Ghana and I wanted a stable life for me and my family. So I chose to come here and I'm happy I made that choice."

As a regular with Ghana in the mid-nineties, Addo toured Australia in 1995 and remembers the country fondly.

"Yes, I enjoyed my time in Australia. It is a beautiful country and I'm planning to take my wife there sometime."

Addo's professional career began in Ghana with the famous and highly-respected Hearts of Oak. It was with Hearts that he managed to first break into Ghana's senior national team - an opportunity which soon led him onto the path of European football.

"Ghana's senior national team had a game against Germany and I had one of my best matches.

"After the game, Stuttgart contacted my agent and invited me to Germany and that is how I got there.

"Along with playing in Germany for Stuttgart, I also had spells in Holland for Sparta Rotterdam, Portugal for Belenenses Lisbon and Greece for Ethnikos Athens.

"I really enjoyed playing for Stuttgart and it was probably the toughest time of my career. In those days, only three foreign players were allowed to play at a time and my team had six and we all wanted to play.

"So the competition was very tough."

Addo kicks off his second full campaign with the Mutiny this week away at the Dallas Burn. After an impressive Spring Training camp in Florida under new coach Alfonso Mondelo, the Mutiny head into this season confident of again reaching the play-offs.

"In Florida, we were trying to team up together between the players and coaches. The coach is beginning to get to know us and we also are doing the same.

"I believe Alfonso will get all the help he needs from the players.

"I personally don't speak to coaches about their plans, but I know he expects the best from me and I will give him my all."

Now established as one the League's outstanding defensive talents, Addo's assignment this season will be to keep the Mutiny defence together - with their much-vaunted attack again expected to be among the most prolific in the country.

The Mutiny will again be spearheaded by star striker, Mamadou Diallo. Recent signing from Olympiakos, Gus Kartes and SuperDraft acquisition Ali Curtis are expected to battle for the right to partner the Senegalese forward and Addo says Curtis couldn't have a better teacher than Diallo to learn from.

"Ali is a young player and he has a lot to learn.

"But I think with Mamadou and Carlos Valderrama on the team, there are no better teachers to have. He will be fine."

This year will see the LA Galaxy head for Spain for June's World Club Championship. Ironically for Addo, the MLS representatives have his former club, Hearts of Oak, in their group - though there's no confusion about who Addo will support.

"There is no question about that. I have what is called the "phobia" and Hearts are my team for life.

"I think Hearts will shock everybody. They will beat Galaxy for sure and may even go to the finals. It's my former club and I captained them for three years."

A Hearts of Oak victory in Spain - and perhaps a Black Stars re-call for Addo? This year could be one to remember for one of Tampa Bay's - and the MLS's - finest players.