Akwesi Agyeman, a member of the Black Stars’ management committee, has warned that sacking head coach Otto Addo could negatively impact Ghana’s chances of qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. His comments come amid growing public criticism following Ghana’s failure to qualify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) for the first time in over two decades.
Despite the growing public dissatisfaction and calls for Addo’s removal due to the Black Stars’ underwhelming performance in the AFCON qualification campaign, Agyeman believes that changing the coach now could undermine the team’s long-term goals. Ghana needed back-to-back victories to keep their AFCON hopes alive, but the team’s lack of consistent form left them short of qualification.
In an interview on Hitz FM, Agyeman stressed that Otto Addo was initially brought in to establish a sustainable program for the national team, focusing on long-term success. He argued that continuity and consistency are vital for building a competitive squad for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers.
As tensions rise over the Black Stars’ recent failures, Agyeman’s stance highlights the importance of stability and patience in Ghana’s football management, urging stakeholders to reconsider knee-jerk reactions to recent setbacks.
With the 2026 World Cup qualifiers on the horizon, the future of Ghana’s footballing direction hangs in the balance. Sacking Otto Addo may jeopardize the team’s chances of success, making it crucial for the management to carefully weigh its options moving forward.
However, Ghana suffered a devastating 2-1 loss to Niger at the Accra Sports Stadium, continuing their disappointing campaign in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers. In the match, Ghana’s head coach Otto Addo opted for a 3-4-2-1 formation, featuring key players like Kamaldeen Sulemana, Ernest Nuamah, and Mohammed Kudus. This tactical setup aimed to provide both offensive creativity and defensive solidity as Ghana sought to secure a vital win. On the other hand, Niger’s head coach, Badou, chose a 4-5-1 formation, focusing on a compact midfield and a solid defensive structure, designed to stifle Ghana’s attacking threats and exploit any counter-attacking opportunities.
The match saw Badamaasi give Niger the lead in the 22nd minute, before Ghana’s Jeremia Afriyie leveled the score in the 67th minute. However, just when it seemed Ghana might salvage a point, Sako struck again for Niger in the dying moments, scoring the winning goal in the 92nd minute. Adding to the heartbreak was a missed penalty by West Ham star Mohammed Kudus in the 96th minute, which could have salvaged a draw for the Black Stars. The miss was a crushing blow for Ghana, whose AFCON qualification hopes had already been severely damaged by previous results.
This defeat underscored Ghana’s struggles in the qualifying campaign. The Black Stars have played six matches in the AFCON qualifiers but have yet to win a single game. With just three draws and three losses to show for their efforts, Ghana has scored a mere four goals while conceding seven. With only three points from a possible 18, the team’s performance has left fans and critics alike disappointed and frustrated.
As Ghana continues to struggle in their quest to qualify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, the team’s poor form raises serious questions about their preparation and future prospects. Despite the efforts of players like Mohammed Kudus, the Black Stars have failed to find consistency and are now facing the reality of missing out on a major continental competition for the first time in over 20 years.
As Ghana turns its focus toward future qualifiers, the Black Stars’ management faces a critical decision regarding the future of Otto Addo. The next steps will be crucial in determining whether the coach will continue to guide the team through the 2026 World Cup campaign or if the Ghana Football Association will seek a new direction.
