Otto Addo is on the verge of qualifying Black Stars to the 2026 World Cup
The decision not to sack Otto Addo after failing to qualify for the 2025 AFCON has proven beneficial to the country as he is just a point away from qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Otto Addo faced an avalanche of backlash after his side failed to qualify for the 2024 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco, leaving many Ghanaians disappointed.
However, calls for his dismissal were ignored by the leadership of the Ghana Football Association (GFA), who trusted Otto Addo to turn the crashing ship around.
Otto Addo needs support and not sack – Nii Lante Vanderpuye
The former Black Stars player has turned things around and he is a point away from becoming the first coach to qualify Ghana to two FIFA World Cups.
Otto Addo’s Statistics in the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers
Despite immense pressure on the team at the time, the former Borussia Dortmund scout defied the odds and led Ghana to a 2-1 away victory over Mali, then returned home to beat the Central African Republic 4–3, with Jordan Ayew scoring a hat-trick in that game.
The team maintained its rhythm and momentum by thumping Chad 5–0 at the Accra Sports Stadium, with goals from Semenyo, Inaki Williams, Jordan Ayew, and others. They then traveled to record a convincing 3–0 win over Madagascar.
With hopes high to seal qualification early, the team stumbled with a 1–1 draw against Chad but quickly bounced back in their next game, beating Mali 1–0 at the Accra Sports Stadium.
The Black Stars went on to humiliate the Central African Republic 5–0 in an away match, with the final fixture against Comoros yet to be played.
The Black Stars currently lead Group I with 22 points, followed by Madagascar with 19 points, while Mali and Comoros occupy third and fourth positions with 15 points each.
Otto Addo’s record stands at six wins, one draw, and no defeats from seven matches in the qualifiers. The team has scored 21 goals, conceded just 5, and holds a win rate of 85.71%.
See the statistics below:
SB/JE
Meanwhile, watch highlights of Ghana’s 5-0 win over Central African Republic in World Cup qualifiers
