Former Ghana national team coach, Charles Kwabla Akonnor, has distanced himself from growing demands for the removal of Otto Addo, following the Black Stars’ failure to qualify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
Ghana’s absence from the tournament, set to take place in Morocco, marks the first time in over two decades that the four-time champions will not feature on Africa’s biggest football stage.
The Black Stars endured a disappointing qualification campaign, finishing bottom of their group without a single victory, managing three draws and three losses. This has fueled outrage from fans and analysts, with many calling for Addo’s dismissal.
However, Akonnor, a former Black Stars coach himself, has stressed the importance of maintaining stability in the team’s technical setup.
He cautioned against frequent coaching changes, arguing that it could disrupt the players’ progress.
“I didn’t call for Otto Addo’s sacking after the AFCON qualification setback,” Akonnor said. “The constant hiring and firing can overwhelm the players and disrupt progress,” he said in an interview with Citi Sports
Despite the AFCON disappointment, Addo has since steadied the squad, leading Ghana to consecutive victories over Chad and Madagascar in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
The Black Stars also secured a third-place finish in a recent four-nation tournament in London. The team is set to regroup in September for crucial World Cup qualifying matches against Chad and Mali.
