The Ghana Football Association (GFA) has made the controversial decision to retain Otto Addo as the head coach of the Black Stars, despite the team’s disappointing failure to qualify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
Following a heated debate within the executive council, where some members called for his dismissal, Addo was given another chance. GFA Communications Director, Henry Asante Twum, acknowledged the discontent among fans.
“The discussion dragged on for hours,” Twum stated. “Ultimately, a decision was made to keep him,” he added. “The disappointment is particularly painful for fans, as teams like Botswana qualified ‘Missing out on AFCON is a mixed feeling, especially when teams like Botswana are there. It felt very painful.'”
The Black Stars’ failure to qualify for AFCON 2025, finishing bottom of their group behind Angola, Sudan, and Niger, has been a major blow to Ghanaian football. It marked their first AFCON absence since 2004. The tournament kicks off in Morocco on December 21, 2025.
Otto Addo, in his defense, cited several challenges, including late player arrivals, tactical issues, and a spate of injuries to key players like Antoine Semenyo and Inaki Williams. The withdrawal of several players from the final qualifying match against Niger further compounded the team’s difficulties.
Despite these setbacks, the GFA has opted to give Addo another opportunity to prove himself. The Black Stars will now shift their focus to the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, facing crucial matches against Chad on March 17th and Madagascar on March 24th under Addo’s continued leadership.
This decision by the GFA is likely to face continued scrutiny from the Ghanaian public, with many questioning whether retaining Addo is the right step forward for the Black Stars. ED
