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Coach Otto Addo — His fate hangs in a balance
Coach Otto Addo — His fate hangs in a balance
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Opinions divided over Otto Addo’s future

The Ghana Football Association (GFA) faces a crucial decision this week regarding the future of Black Stars Head Coach, Otto Addo, following the team’s failure to qualify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) -– a setback that marks the first time Ghana has missed out on the tournament since 2004.

The Black Stars’ dismal performance in the qualifiers saw them win no matches in six attempts, including two home losses.

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The team finishing at the bottom of a group that featured Niger, Angola and Sudan has led to widespread calls for Otto Addo’s dismissal.

The GFA’s Executive Council, which last week dissolved the Black Stars management committee, has deferred a final decision on Otto Addo’s fate until a critical meeting on Wednesday, November 27.

This meeting will review the coach’s technical report from the qualifiers and assess the performance of the entire technical team.

Since Ghana’s damaging 1-2 loss to Niger at the Accra Sports Stadium, opinions have been sharply divided over whether the coach should remain in charge.

Many fans and prominent sports journalists are demanding his immediate departure, citing his poor record since taking the helm in March.

However, a contrasting view is emerging, with some former players and coaches rallying in support of the embattled coach, arguing that he should be given time to address the team’s issues, particularly with the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers looming.

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Former Ghana international Laryea Kingston said now was not the time to make a change, urging the GFA to allow the coach to see out the FIFA World Cup qualifiers.

“If we change the coach and the technical team and bring in new faces, it will be a disaster,” Kingston said. “I think we should allow him to at least finish the World Cup qualifiers. Who knows? Maybe he can qualify. After that, we can make a decision. So, we should give him another opportunity.”

A former Black Stars Assistant Coach and a key figure during the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, Mas-Ud Didi Dramani, has also voiced his support for Otto Addo.

Dramani believed that sacking coaches was rarely the solution and stressed the importance of a long-term rebuilding process. “Sacking coaches is never the best solution, even though it’s a common practice in football,” he explained. 

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“Rebuilding is a progressive approach where you win some, lose some and draw some. We must address the underlying issues. If we keep sacking coaches without a clear direction, we’ll only continue to lose our way.”

Ibrahim Tanko, Technical Director of Accra Lions and former Black Stars Assistant Coach, also backs Otto Addo, believing that the 47-year-old coach could turn the team’s fortunes around. “I don’t believe the job is too big for him,” Coach Tanko said.

“He took us to the World Cup in Qatar, and while the performance wasn’t as expected, he deserves a chance. With the World Cup qualifiers coming up, do we really need to bring in a new coach?”

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However, some of Ghana’s leading sports journalists are clear in their calls for Addo’s removal. Godfred Akoto Boafo, for instance, argued that the coach’s poor record —  with just a 21 per cent win rate — provided enough justification for his sacking.

“No wins in six competitive games. What’s there to evaluate?” he wrote on X (formerly Twitter). “He’s not coaching a club side or a development team. Only one thing matters: winning."

Michael Oti Adjei, the Head of Sports at Media General, went further to criticise both the coach and the GFA’s administration. “Everything about the Black Stars reflect the poor administration of football in Ghana and the gross inadequacy of Otto Addo as a leader of this team. The idea that he has shown a capacity to coach is an insult to our intelligence,” he declared.

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