KEY POINTS
- Otto Addo rejects resignation after Ghana’s AFCON 2025 elimination.
- Ghana finishes bottom of Group F, winless.
- Addo urges media, fans to support players.
Under-fire Ghanaian coach Otto Addo has declared his intention to remain at the helm of the Black Stars despite the team’s failure to qualify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
It marks the first time since 2004 that Ghana has missed the tournament, sparking widespread criticism and calls for Addo’s resignation.
Otto Addo resolute amid resignation calls
Speaking after the team’s 2-1 loss to Niger in their final Group F match, Addo defended his decision to stay, citing his resilience and commitment to the national team.
“I’m not the kind of person who can resign. If I had done this, I’d never have become a player or even a coach,” he said. “People shouting and telling me to resign can’t affect me. If you knew where I’ve come from to get here, you wouldn’t ask about resignation.”
Defensive frailties and missed opportunities
According to myjoyonine, Addo acknowledged the team’s vulnerabilities, particularly their inability to defend set pieces, which proved costly against Niger.
“We started okay but conceded a goal from a set piece. We knew this was a threat because the last time we met, they scored from a corner,” Addo explained. “Surely, we have to defend these set pieces better. It seems everything is going against us.”
Despite the loss, Addo highlighted positive performances from debutant players, arguing that their inclusion justified his team selection.
“There are some positives, especially from players who hadn’t played before but did well today,” he noted.
A call for unity
Addo urged fans and the media to support the players rather than focus on assigning blame, emphasizing the effort his squad put into the campaign.
“The media has the power to control narratives. You can choose to lift people up or tear them down,” he said. “I really need you to leave the players alone because they gave us everything they had.”
Surprisingly, Addo also used the platform to advocate for peace in Ghana ahead of the country’s upcoming elections, calling for unity and a focus on national cohesion.
“I would like to pray for peaceful elections. We are a peaceful country, so no matter the outcome, let’s stay united,” he said.
A disappointing campaign
Ghana’s elimination from AFCON qualification leaves fans and stakeholders questioning the direction of the team under Addo’s leadership. The Black Stars finished bottom of their group without a single win, and while Addo admitted that a draw against Niger would not have changed their fate, he acknowledged its potential morale boost.
“Surely everyone is disappointed, but even if we had drawn, it wouldn’t have changed our elimination. But it could have lifted the mood of the country and the players,” he conceded.
The defeat has deepened concerns about the team’s future, with many calling for a comprehensive review of Ghana’s football strategy to restore the Black Stars’ former glory.
