The Black Stars are facing a challenging time, with their dreams of reaching the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco slipping away. Former Ghana international and current Bibiani GoldStars head coach, Frimpong Manso, is calling for strong backing for Otto Addo as he prepares Ghana’s squad for an even bigger goal: the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.

Manso’s call comes after Ghana’s underwhelming performance in the AFCON qualifiers, where the Black Stars have only managed two points from four matches. As they prepare to face Angola’s Palancas Negras on November 15 and Niger on November 18, hopes of securing a spot at AFCON seem slim. Ghana currently sits third in Group F, behind both Angola and Sudan, putting their streak of qualifying for AFCON for over 20 years at serious risk.

With Ghana’s World Cup qualifiers set to resume in March 2025, Manso believes it’s essential to support Addo now more than ever, despite potential disappointment over AFCON. “I know people will complain if we miss out on AFCON,” Manso told Asempa FM, “but what he will need is support to do the right things and bring good players for the World Cup qualifiers.”

Currently, Ghana is in a better position for World Cup qualification, sitting second in Group I with nine points. However, the path to securing a place in the World Cup is still challenging, with matches against Chad and Madagascar awaiting them in the upcoming round.

For the Black Stars, the journey ahead is complex, but Manso’s message is clear: the road to redemption requires unity, support, and belief in Otto Addo’s vision for the World Cup.