Former Ghana striker Augustine Ahinful has backed Black Stars coach Otto Addo to remain at the helm, urging the Ghana Football Association to resist growing calls for his dismissal.
Ahinful believes Addo has shown growth and resilience since leading Ghana to the 2022 World Cup and deserves the chance to finish the job of qualifying the team for the 2026 edition.
His comments follow mounting criticism of Addo’s tactics despite Ghana’s recent 5–0 thrashing of the Central African Republic in Matchday 9 of the World Cup qualifiers. That victory moved the Black Stars within a single point of securing a ticket to next year’s tournament in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
In a recent interview on Asempa FM, Ahinful dismissed suggestions that Addo should be replaced, arguing that the coach’s experience and improved decision-making were beginning to show.
“This is the second time he will be taking the Black Stars to the World Cup, and I believe that he has learned his lessons and wants to improve, so I wouldn’t say that he should be sacked,” Ahinful said.
He highlighted the importance of Addo’s support team, particularly technical advisor Winfried Schäfer, while revealing that several former national players, himself included, often reach out privately to offer guidance.
“He has an experienced technical advisor like Winfried Schäfer who gives him good advice, and some of us have been speaking to him privately because Otto Addo is our colleague.
“In the game against the Central African Republic, his substitutions were apt, so you could see that Otto Addo is improving and learning as a coach,” he added.
Addo’s future has become a subject of political and sporting debate after Sports Minister Kofi Adams hinted that the government would evaluate his position once the qualifiers conclude.
Ghana will complete their campaign on Sunday, October 12, with a decisive home fixture against Comoros at the Accra Sports Stadium, where victory could seal their place at the 2026 World Cup.
