Black Stars Coach Opens Up on Criticism, AFCON Failure, and Sacrifices for Ghana

Otto Addo, the head coach of Ghana’s Black Stars, has candidly reflected on the heavy criticism he endured after the team’s disappointing performances in recent tournaments. Speaking in an emotional interview, Addo apologised to Ghanaians for their failure to qualify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) and shared his personal struggles as a coach and former player.

Addo, who initially resigned after Ghana’s group-stage exit at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, returned for a second stint but has struggled to change the team’s fortunes. Under his leadership, the Black Stars have managed just two wins in 10 games, culminating in their failure to secure a spot at the AFCON in Morocco.

“I would like to apologise for the results, very much,” Addo admitted. “I know how much this means for every Ghanaian to play in this tournament. I really have to apologise because I know the pain this causes.”

The backlash following the World Cup, he revealed, took a toll on him. “After I led Ghana to the World Cup, a lot of people were against me. My friends and I could show you hundreds of examples. But nobody apologised afterwards, only a few did,” he said.

For Addo, AFCON holds a deeply personal significance. “The tournament means more to me than the World Cup,” he stated, recalling the sacrifices he made for Ghana as a player. Despite tearing his ACL during his career, Addo said he never hesitated to represent the national team, even at great personal cost. “My knee is gone; I stopped playing football after that injury. But I would give everything for this country.”

The Ghana Football Association’s Executive Council is expected to meet this week to assess the team’s performance and decide on Addo’s future.