Black Stars Miss 2025 AFCON: Football Administrator Points to Leadership, Not Coach Otto Addo

For the first time in 20 years, Ghana’s Black Stars will miss out on the Africa Cup of Nations after a dismal campaign in the 2025 qualifiers. Despite the disappointment, renowned football administrator Jacob Abdul Salam Yakubu has refused to place the blame on head coach Otto Addo.

Ghana, a traditional powerhouse in African football, endured a disastrous qualification campaign, finishing bottom of Group F with three losses and three draws in six matches. The last time the Black Stars failed to qualify for Africa’s biggest tournament was in 2004, marking a rare low in the nation’s football history.

Speaking to Kumasi-based Kessben FM, Abdul Salam absolved Otto Addo of blame, instead pointing to systemic issues within Ghanaian football. “Pep Guardiola is the best coach in the world, but even he cannot handle the Black Stars. Otto Addo has done nothing wrong. For our coach to celebrate an equalizing goal tells you how far our football has fallen,” he said.

Abdul Salam argued that the experienced players, including Antoine Semenyo, Inaki Williams, and Mohammed Kudus, already possess the maturity required for top-level football. “Otto Addo cannot be blamed for the failure. The real problem lies with evil leadership in our football. Their actions have hurt the fraternity, and now, the consequences are clear,” he added.

The Black Stars’ failure has sparked nationwide discussions about the need for systemic reforms within the Ghana Football Association to revive the team’s fortunes.