Kwakye Ofosu Backs Otto Addo to Lead Black Stars at 2026 World Cup
Minister for Government Communications, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, has defended Black Stars head coach Otto Addo amid public calls for his dismissal, describing the criticisms as unfair and ill-timed.
Speaking in Parliament on Monday, Mr. Kwakye Ofosu said Otto Addo remains the most qualified person to lead Ghana’s national football team into the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America, having successfully steered the team through a difficult qualification campaign.
“Calls for the removal of the coach who guided us to qualification are, in my view, misplaced,” the Minister stated. “The person who led us through this journey is best positioned to prepare and lead the team for the tournament itself.”
The Minister cautioned against what he described as “reactionary decisions” that could destabilise the team ahead of the global competition scheduled to take place across the United States, Mexico, and Canada.
According to him, national teams have limited time to train and build cohesion before major tournaments, and maintaining continuity in leadership is essential for success.
“It would be a mistake to dismiss the coach at this stage and replace him with someone who would have very little time to prepare the squad,” Kwakye Ofosu added.
His comments come in response to a wave of criticism following recent friendly matches in which the Black Stars’ performances drew mixed reactions from fans and analysts. Some football enthusiasts have argued for a change in technical direction, citing inconsistency in results and tactical issues.
Otto Addo, a former Ghana international, was reappointed as head coach of the Black Stars in early 2025 after a brief stint in the technical department of Borussia Dortmund in Germany. His earlier tenure saw Ghana qualify for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, where the team recorded a win against South Korea but failed to progress beyond the group stage.
Under his leadership, the Black Stars secured qualification for the 2026 tournament after topping their qualifying group, earning crucial victories over Mali, Central African Republic, and Comoros.
Supporters of the coach argue that his experience—both as a player and a tactician with European exposure—offers the right balance of discipline and modern football philosophy needed to compete on the world stage.
Sports analyst George Addo Jnr told Daily Graphic that continuity could prove vital. “Otto Addo has already built rapport with the players and understands the dynamics of the team. Changing leadership just months before the tournament could disrupt the system,” he noted.
While sections of the football fraternity have called for a review of Addo’s tactics, others, including members of the Ghana Football Association (GFA), have expressed confidence in his technical approach.
Sources close to the GFA say discussions are ongoing to strengthen the technical bench and improve logistics ahead of the World Cup preparations. The Association has also confirmed that a comprehensive pre-tournament programme—including international friendlies and training camps—is being developed to ensure optimal performance.
In recent years, Ghana’s football leadership has faced criticism for frequent changes in coaching staff before major tournaments—a pattern some experts say undermines team chemistry and consistency. The last such change came before the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), when coach Charles Akonnor was replaced months before the competition.
Ghana’s qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup marks the country’s fifth appearance on football’s biggest stage. The tournament provides not only a platform for sporting excellence but also an opportunity to boost national pride, attract sponsorships, and project Ghana’s sporting talent globally.
The Black Stars’ performance also carries significant economic and social implications, as major tournaments often generate increased tourism, merchandise sales, and local business activity. According to data from the Ghana Tourism Authority, fan engagement and travel during the 2022 World Cup contributed to a measurable uptick in domestic tourism and related spending.
As the countdown to the 2026 World Cup begins, attention will turn to the team’s preparations, selection of players, and pre-tournament friendlies. Analysts emphasise that success will depend on a combination of consistent leadership, adequate funding, and early preparation.
For now, Kwakye Ofosu’s endorsement adds political weight to Otto Addo’s tenure, signalling that government remains supportive of maintaining stability within the technical team.
Whether this continuity translates into improved performance on the global stage will depend on how well the Black Stars address tactical shortcomings and maintain morale in the months leading to the competition.
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