TIG Post

Tag: Otto Addo

  • Carlos Queiroz not on $100k monthly salary – Sports Minister

    Carlos Queiroz not on $100k monthly salary – Sports Minister

    The Sports Ministry has dispelled rumours that the Black Stars’ newly appointed head coach, Carlos Queiroz, earns a monthly salary of $100,000.

    His response comes shortly after his unveiling, where several media reports began to circulate that he is taking home a $100k, gaining traction over the Portuguese tactician’s salary.

    Disputing the rumour, Sports Minister Kofi Adams, speaking in an interview with Asempa FM, explained that “it’s not up to $100,000”.

    He explained that discussions on the coach’s remuneration are still ongoing between his outfit and relevant stakeholders, adding that the final figure has yet to be determined.

    “I will check the figures [of his salary] because we have not finalised and signed the full contract and everything, so I cannot give the exact figure, but it’s not up to $100,000. The condition we agreed was that we were going for a short-term contract, maximum four months, for the period of the World Cup, but the performance would determine any further agreement,” Mr Adams added.

    Carlos takes over from former Dutch talent coach Otto Addo, who was dismissed after a poor run of form leading to defeats against Austria and Germany in the last international friendlies played on March 27 and Monday, March 30, respectively.

    Queirozis is set to guide the Black Stars to the World Cup in a four-month agreement after which an extension will be subject to his performance at the global tournament set to be hosted across Mexico, Canada and the USA in June (summer).

    Ghana, heading into their fifth World Cup appearance, have been drawn in Group L alongside England, Croatia and Panama. They will open their campaign against Panama on June 17, face England on June 23, and conclude the group stage against Croatia on June 27.

    After back-to-back early exits in 2014 and 2022, expectations are growing for a more competitive showing under the experienced leadership of Queiroz.

    Ghana, preparing for their fifth appearance at the World Cup, have been drawn in Group L. The Black Stars will open their campaign against Panama on June 17, before facing England on June 23 and Croatia on June 27.

    After successive group-stage exits in Brazil 2014 and Qatar 2022, Queiroz faces the challenge of restoring belief and guiding the team to a more competitive show on football’s biggest stage.

    Carlos Queiroz to arrive with a 5-member technical team

    Meanwhile, the coach is expected to arrive with five members of his technical team as preparations intensify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. To make room for the new technical team, the technical advisor and director of football, Winfried Schäfer, has reportedly been relieved of his duties, and assistant coach John Paintsil.

    Also, several other existing staff members who served in roles during Otto Addo’s tenure have been dismissed to accommodate the new team of Queiroz’s new team.

    Carlos remarks during his unveiling

    Carlos Queiroz described his new role as his biggest challenge aside from the eight national teams he has worked with; however, he is “ready to deliver”.

    “It is an honour and a privilege to be here today,” Queiroz said at the unveiling. Since I arrived, I have started to feel it. This is the soul of the Black Stars. The soul of the Black Stars is huge, and that means our dreams and expectations are huge.

    “After eight national teams and important competitions, this is the biggest challenge of my life, and I am ready for that. I can promise and guarantee that I will bring 40 years of my experience [to the job],” he said.

    He made these remarks during his unveiling today at the Alisa hotel during a press conference.

  • New Black Stars to arrive with five-man backroom staff – GFA

    New Black Stars to arrive with five-man backroom staff – GFA

    Ghana is anticipating the arrival of Black Stars’ new head coach Carlos Queiroz in a few days. The appointment of the Portuguese coach comes after the dismissal of Otto Addo on Monday, March 30, following Ghana’s poor performance in the international friendlies against Austria and Germany.

    The coach is expected to arrive with five members of his technical team as preparations intensify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. To make room for the new technical team, the technical advisor and director of football, Winfried Schäfer, has reportedly been relieved of his duties, and assistant coach John Paintsil.

    Also, several other existing staff members who served in roles during Otto Addo’s tenure have been dismissed to accommodate the new team of Queiroz’s new team.

    According to the Ghana Football Association’s (GFA) Communications Director, Asante Twum, speaking on Asempa FM’s Ultimate Sports Show on Tuesday, April 15, indicated that the association has begun making arrangements for the veteran tactician to formally present his vision for the senior national team after his official unveiling within the week. Following that, he will be taken to the Sports Minister Kofi Adams for a formal introduction as part of official protocol.

    His first assignment, as a stop-gap appointment following his arrival in Ghana, will be to oversee the upcoming international friendly against Mexico. Preparations will then continue with a final test against Wales on June 2 as part of preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

    Ghana, preparing for their fifth appearance at the World Cup, have been drawn in Group L. The Black Stars will open their campaign against Panama on June 17, before facing England on June 23 and Croatia on June 27.

    After successive group-stage exits in Brazil 2014 and Qatar 2022, Queiroz faces the challenge of restoring belief and guiding the team to a more competitive show on football’s biggest stage.

    With extensive World Cup experience, having led South Africa to qualification for the 2002 edition, guided Portugal to the Round of 16 in 2010, and managed Iran in 2014 and 2018, Queiroz is expected to bring stability and improved performance to a Ghana side seeking to avoid early exits after disappointing campaigns in 2014 and 2022.

    He has signed a short-term deal (four months) to lead the team through the 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign, after three high-profile coaches were interviewed on April 10, 2026, before he was selected.

    Meanwhile, President John Dramani Mahama has announced that the government will not sponsor the travel of supporters to the 2026 FIFA World Cup to prevent unnecessary pressure on the already strained public purse.

    Meanwhile, President John Dramani Mahama has announced that the government will not sponsor the travel of supporters to the 2026 FIFA World Cup to prevent unnecessary pressure on the already strained public purse.

    Speaking at the Ghana World Cup fundraising campaign on Friday, March 20, at Kempinski Hotel Gold Coast City in Accra, the President noted that the decision has been informed by recommendations from the Dzamefe Report, which advised the government to discontinue sponsoring fans to such tournamnets using taxpayers’ money.

    “In consonance with the Dzamefe Report, the government has no plans to allocate public funds to fly supporters to the World Cup,” he said.

    It was an investigative report prepared by the Commission of Inquiry, chaired by Justice Senyo Dzamefe, set up in July 2014 by President John Mahama. Its purpose was to examine the scandals that unfolded during the tournament and recommend reforms for Ghana’s football administration.

    The President explained that not even a handful of supporters can be sponsored, citing that flying and accommodating just 200 supporters could cost close to $2 million, which would heavily impact the government’s purse.

    “The logistical support required to fly and accommodate even just 200 supporters is staggering,” he added, while acknowledging the importance of boosting the Black Stars’ morale during the tournament. However, he said the government must prioritise the prudent use of public resources.

    “We all want to see our fans in the stands, but we must be responsible in how we use public resources,” he added, stressing the need to channel funds into critical areas such as job creation.

    The decision means that supporters who wish to travel to the tournament in the United States, Canada, and Mexico will have to rely on private funding, sponsorships, or other fundraising efforts.

    Fundraiser to support Black Stars

    An amount of $10m was raised at the launch of Black Stars fundraising campaign organised on Monday, March 23, ahead of World Cup qualifiers.

    This information was disclosed by the Deputy Finance Minister and Chairman of the Fundraising Committee, Thomas Nyarko Ampem.

    “The fundraising target is $30 million, and if you listen to the pledges and donations, on day one of the launch, we got about $10 million. We are going to put together other events, and we believe that the contributions that are coming in from the short code as well,” he said.

    The launch event was attended by high-profile individuals, including President John Dramani Mahama, Sports Minister Kofi Adams, and Ghana Football Association President Kurt Okraku.

  • My job is always under threat, but I don’t really care – Otto Addo after Austria defeat 

    My job is always under threat, but I don’t really care – Otto Addo after Austria defeat 

    Black Stars head coach Otto Addo has admitted that his job is never secure, regardless of whatever results he achieves with the Black Stars.

    He made these remarks after his side suffered a waton 5-1 defeat to Austria during the international friendly on Friday March 27 in Vienna.

    The 50-year-old former Ghana international has faced mounting pressure since returning to the role, with concerns over the team’s inconsistent performances growing louder in recent months.

    Despite increasing calls for his dismissal, Addo insists he remains focused and undistracted by public criticism.

    “Even when we qualified for the World Cup, people were calling for me to step down. So, [my job] is always under threat, but I don’t really care,” the former Borussia Dortmund assistant coach said.

    On his part, his focus is to give his best for the team nad make the best out of the squad as well.

    “For me, the most important thing is that I prepare my best for the team to the best,” he added.

    Addo now turns his attention to Ghana’s next test against Germany in Stuttgart, where he will be hoping for a stronger response from his side.

    The match, scheduled to kick off at 18:45 GMT, forms part of the Black Stars’ build-up to the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be staged in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

    Meanwhile, an amount of at $10m at launch of Black Stars fundraising campaign organised on Monday, March 23 ahead of World Cup qualifiers.

    This information was disclosed by the Deputy Finance Minister and Chairman of the Fundraising Committee, Thomas Nyarko Ampem.

    “The fundraising target is $30 million, and if you listen to the pledges and donations, on day one of the launch, we got about $10 million. We are going to put together other events, and we believe that the contributions that are coming in from the short code as well,” he said.

    The launch event was attended by high-profile individuals, including President John Dramani Mahama, Sports Minister Kofi Adams, and Ghana Football Association President Kurt Okraku.

    Meanwhile, President John Dramani Mahama has announced that the government will not sponsor the travel of supporters to the 2026 FIFA World Cup to prevent unnecessary pressure on the already strained public purse.

    Speaking at the Ghana World Cup fundraising campaign on Friday, March 20, at Kempinski Hotel Gold Coast City in Accra, the President noted that the decision has been informed by recommendations from the Dzamefe Report, which advised the government to discontinue sponsoring fans to such tournamnets using taxpayers’ money.

    “In consonance with the Dzamefe Report, the government has no plans to allocate public funds to fly supporters to the World Cup,” he said.

    It was an investigative report prepared by the Commission of Inquiry, chaired by Justice Senyo Dzamefe, set up in July 2014 by President John Mahama. Its purpose was to examine the scandals that unfolded during the tournament and recommend reforms for Ghana’s football administration.

    The President explained that not even a handful of supporters can be sponsored, citing that flying and accommodating just 200 supporters could cost close to $2 million, which would heavily impact the government’s purse.

    “The logistical support required to fly and accommodate even just 200 supporters is staggering,” he added, while acknowledging the importance of boosting the Black Stars’ morale during the tournament. However, he said the government must prioritise the prudent use of public resources.

    “We all want to see our fans in the stands, but we must be responsible in how we use public resources,” he added, stressing the need to channel funds into critical areas such as job creation.

    The decision means that supporters who wish to travel to the tournament in the United States, Canada, and Mexico will have to rely on private funding, sponsorships, or other fundraising efforts.

  • Otto Addo could loss his job as Black Stars coach

    Otto Addo could loss his job as Black Stars coach

    A report from Asempa FM indicates that Ghana’s head coach, Otto Addo, may face dismissal if he suffers another embarrassing defeat against Germany in the friendlies scheduled for tonight.

    This comes after the Black Stars suffered a heavy 1-5 defeat to Austria on Friday, March 27, in a friendly, which sparked several concerns from fans and stakeholders over the team’s ability to succeed at the global tournament in June.

    Otto Addo came under heavy pressure as many questioned his tactical prowess and capability to take the national team past the group stage or even go further in the tournament.

    The Austria-Ghana friendly 

    Austria opened the scoring in the 12th minute when Marcel Sabitzer converted a penalty to make it 1–0. A return from the first half also saw another Austria goal from Michael Gregoritsch in the 51st minute, and just eight minutes later, Stefan Posch headed in Austria’s third goal, cementing their lead and firm control of the game.

    Ghana’s Jordan Ayew managed to find the back of the net in the 77th minute, finishing off a rare attacking move to reduce the deficit to 3–1. However, just 8 minutes after Ayew’s goal, Carney Chukwuemeka scored to affirm their lead. In stoppage time, Nicolas Seiwald sealed the victory with a long‑range strike in the 92nd minute, completing Austria’s 5–1 win over the Black Stars.

    This sequence of goals highlighted Austria’s dominance throughout the match, while Ghana struggled defensively and created very few chances. Jordan Ayew’s goal was the only bright spot in an otherwise difficult outing for the Black Stars. 

    Attention now turns to Ghana’s final friendly against Germany in Stuttgart tonight. The technical team, led by Addo, has been tasked with delivering a marked performance improvement.

    Reports suggest that another poor result could prompt a review of Addo’s position. Kick off for the game is slated for 18:45 GMT.

    The matches form part of Ghana’s build-up to the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

    Following this window, the Black Stars are scheduled to face Mexico in May and Wales in June before heading to the tournament, where they will compete in Group L alongside Panama, England, and Croatia.

    Black Stars robbed in Austria ahead of friendlies 

    Ahead of the game, Ghana’s national football team was targeted in a robbery incident in Vienna ahead of their international friendly against Austria on Friday, March 27.

    Earlier reports had suggested that some team members were robbed during their stay. Two Rolex watches and $2,250 in cash, belonging to some management committee members and players, had been taken from their rooms.

    “The report that came in indicates that two valuables have been stolen: $2,250 in cash and two Rolex watches. The report indicated that the cash belongs to management committee members, and the watches are for the players,” he said.

    He added that the CCTV cameras at the hotel where the Black Stars were lodging were not functioning, making it difficult for Austrian police to quickly identify the alleged robbers.

    “Regarding where the police are camping, the hotel indicated that their CCTV cameras are not functioning, which has made it difficult for the FA to furnish the Austrian police with proper evidence.”

    Despite the incident, officials said the situation was under control, with players and technical staff remaining calm and focused ahead of the scheduled match.

    The GFA said it was working closely with relevant authorities in Austria and would provide further updates as more information became available.

    An amount of at $10m at launch of Black Stars fundraising campaign organised on Monday, March 23 ahead of World Cup qualifiers.

    This information was disclosed by the Deputy Finance Minister and Chairman of the Fundraising Committee, Thomas Nyarko Ampem.

    “The fundraising target is $30 million, and if you listen to the pledges and donations, on day one of the launch, we got about $10 million. We are going to put together other events, and we believe that the contributions that are coming in from the short code as well,” he said.

    The launch event was attended by high-profile individuals, including President John Dramani Mahama, Sports Minister Kofi Adams, and Ghana Football Association President Kurt Okraku.

    Meanwhile, President John Dramani Mahama has announced that the government will not sponsor the travel of supporters to the 2026 FIFA World Cup to prevent unnecessary pressure on the already strained public purse.

    Speaking at the Ghana World Cup fundraising campaign on Friday, March 20, at Kempinski Hotel Gold Coast City in Accra, the President noted that the decision has been informed by recommendations from the Dzamefe Report, which advised the government to discontinue sponsoring fans to such tournamnets using taxpayers’ money.

    “In consonance with the Dzamefe Report, the government has no plans to allocate public funds to fly supporters to the World Cup,” he said.

    It was an investigative report prepared by the Commission of Inquiry, chaired by Justice Senyo Dzamefe, set up in July 2014 by President John Mahama. Its purpose was to examine the scandals that unfolded during the tournament and recommend reforms for Ghana’s football administration.

    The President explained that not even a handful of supporters can be sponsored, citing that flying and accommodating just 200 supporters could cost close to $2 million, which would heavily impact the government’s purse.

    “The logistical support required to fly and accommodate even just 200 supporters is staggering,” he added, while acknowledging the importance of boosting the Black Stars’ morale during the tournament. However, he said the government must prioritise the prudent use of public resources.

    “We all want to see our fans in the stands, but we must be responsible in how we use public resources,” he added, stressing the need to channel funds into critical areas such as job creation.

    The decision means that supporters who wish to travel to the tournament in the United States, Canada, and Mexico will have to rely on private funding, sponsorships, or other fundraising efforts.

  • 2026 FIFA World Cup: GFA defends Otto Addo, says he will make no mistakes

    2026 FIFA World Cup: GFA defends Otto Addo, says he will make no mistakes

    Black Stars head coach, Otto Addo’s second coming was met with mixed reactions. While some supported him as the most familiar to handle the team, others questioned his maturity, his tactical prowess, especially after the Black Stars’ group-stage exit at the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2022 under his leadership.

    However, his recent record as the first coach in Ghana’s football history to oversee the team’s qualification to the world’s biggest football tournament, the 2026 FIFA World Cup, twice, has sparked some confidence from fans about his competency, as well as questions surrounding his ability to take Ghana past the group level due to the inconsistencies in performances.

    However, the Ghana Football Association (GFA) spokesperson has risen to his defence, noting that he is better equipped to handle the pressures of the global showpiece.

    “Otto Addo is now a mature coach, and I don’t think he will make mistakes at the World Cup,” he told Asempa FM.

    The Black Stars will open their 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign against Panama on June 17 in Toronto, before facing England on June 23 in Boston. They will conclude the group stage against Croatia on June 27 in Philadelphia.

    The group opponents were confirmed following the official draw held on Friday at the John F. Kennedy Centre for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C. The high-profile ceremony was attended by notable figures, including U.S. President Donald Trump, entertainers Kevin Hart and Heidi Klum, and sports icons such as Tom Brady, Shaquille O’Neal, Rio Ferdinand, and Ghana football legend Asamoah Gyan.

    The 2026 tournament will mark Ghana’s fifth appearance at football’s biggest stage, following previous participations in 2006, 2010, 2014, and 2022. The Black Stars’ most memorable World Cup performance came in 2010, when they reached the quarter-finals in South Africa.

    Addo is expected to release the final squad list for the 2026 World Cup in June this year.

    World Cup ticketing

    A global statement shared by FIFA suggests that half a million requests for tickets have been made from across the world for tickets for the upcoming World Cup in June.

    The statement shared on the football governing body on Wednesday, January 14, mentioned that, “more than half a billion ticket requests submitted during the Random Selection Draw ticket sales phase, which ran from Thursday, 11 December 2025 to Tuesday, 13 January 2026.

    FIFA said it received approximately 15 million ticket requests daily over the about a month application window, marking a new record in the history of football.

    Given the outstanding requests, FIFA President Gianni Infantino expressed his excitement and gratitude to fans all over the world for the massive response.

    “Half a billion ticket requests in just over a month is more than demand – it’s a global statement. On behalf of FIFA, I would like to thank and congratulate football fans everywhere for this extraordinary response,” said FIFA President Gianni Infantino.

    He continued, “Knowing how much this tournament means to people around the world, our only regret is that we cannot welcome every fan inside the stadiums. That is why we are committed to creating multiple ways for fans to be part of the FIFA World Cup 2026, through a wide range of fan experiences beyond the stadiums, both in person and online, so that as many people as possible can share in what will be the biggest sporting event ever staged.”

    How FIFA will handle ticketing for the 2026 World Cup
    Following the closure of the application period, FIFA says it will check if all requests meet requirements and if they do and the requests exceeds the tickets available, it will randomly issue the tickets to ensure fairness.

    “Following the closure of the Random Selection Draw application period, FIFA Ticketing will verify that ticket requests meet the application requirements and household limits before allocating tickets. Once this process is concluded, and where demand exceeds available inventory, tickets will be allocated via a random selection process to ensure fairness and equal opportunity for all applicants,” the statement noted.

    For fans who qualify for the tickets, they will be emailed by February 5 noting that “fans will be notified of the outcome of their ticket applications by email no earlier than 5 February. All successful and partially successful ticket applicants will receive communications via email and subsequently will be automatically charged for their tickets. A partially successful application indicates that a fan will receive the number of tickets requested for a match, but not all matches requested.”

    “With each application validated by unique credit card data, fans placed an average of 15 million ticket requests per day over the 33-day application window, setting a new benchmark for demand in the history of world sport”, parts of the statement said.

    Out of the over 500 million ticket requests, the majority came from Germany, England, Brazil, Spain, Portugal, Argentina and Colombia, aside from the host countries; USA, Mexico and Canada.

    It added that, “The most coveted match in this sales phase was Colombia v. Portugal on Saturday, 27 June in Miami. The top 5 was completed by Mexico v. Korea Republic in Guadalajara on Thursday, 18 June; the final in New York New Jersey on Sunday, 19 July; the tournament’s opening match between Mexico and South Africa in Mexico City on Thursday, 11 June; and the round-of-32 match in Toronto on Thursday, 2 July – highlighting the exceptional appeal of both marquee fixtures and knockout-stage encounters across all three host nations”.

  • Let’s not underestimate any team – Otto Addo says ahead of 2026 World Cup

    Let’s not underestimate any team – Otto Addo says ahead of 2026 World Cup

    One of the many concerns that has been expressed after Ghana fell in Group L following the group draw, which was held on Friday at the John F. Kennedy Centre for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C, is the Black Stars’ falling in the same group (Group L) with England.

    Black Stars head coach Otto Addo himself affirmed that among the 3 other teams, England remains the favourite. However, he added that, while that has been affirmed, he wouldn’t recommend that any of the other opponents, that is, Croatia and Panama, be underestimated

    During a media engagement, Addo emphasised the importance of consistency and concentration.

    “I look forward to every game as special. It is very important for us that we don’t underrate any team. For sure, England is the favourite in that group, but as a coach, I’m looking at every game equally.”

    Addo highlighted Ghana’s opening match against Panama as a crucial opportunity to gain momentum.

    “I’m hoping that we have a good start against Panama, which will be very, very crucial. A strong start will make the other games a little easier psychologically. We will use the March window for test matches and then assess where we are,” he noted.

    Referring to the team’s stunning performance during the qualifiers and its preparations so far, Otto Addo mentioned that, “We did very well in the qualifiers. We didn’t lose a single official game, one draw, and the rest wins. It was a good year in 2025 after a difficult 2024,” he said, commending his squad for the union in the squad so far.

    He also commended the unity within the squad. “Even though we have a very young team, we did really well. There was good harmony and good union.”

    Ghana’s participation in the 2026 FIFA World Cup represents its 5th appearance at the global tournament. 

    They will open the tournament with a clash with Panama on 17 June, take on England on 23 June, and conclude the group stage against Croatia.

    After a group-stage exit in Qatar 2022, the Black Stars are determined to reach the knockout rounds for the first time since 2010.

    The official ball to be used for the World Cup, on the other hand, has been unveiled by FIFA.

    Named Trionda, the ball was officially unveiled on Thursday, October 2, during a global launch event at Brooklyn Bridge Park in New York City. The presentation, hosted jointly by FIFA and Adidas, showcased the ball’s design, technology, and symbolic meaning.

    FIFA president Gianni Infantino, during the unveiling of the ball, said, “The Official Match Ball for the FIFA World Cup 26 is here, and it’s a beauty! “I am delighted and proud to present the Trionda.”

    Trionda, originating from Spanish, is interpreted as “tri” (three) and “onda” (wave), which signifies the three host countries of the global tournament. Trionda stuns with an aesthetic design which has representations from all three host countries, Canada, Mexico, and the USA, with features including Red panels with maple leaves for Canada, green panels with eagle motifs for Mexico and blue panels with stars for the USA. It also has a central triangle formed by the panel seams, symbolising unity.

    Less visible are technological advancements that include deep seams designed to produce “optimal in-flight stability” and embossed icons that improve grip in wet or humid conditions.

    A motion sensor chip will relay information on the ball’s movement, sending data to the video assistant referee (VAR) system. Trionda also has micro-embossed icons for enhanced grip in varied climates. It has been tested across all 16 host cities for altitude, humidity, and temperature.

    Meanwhile,  the football governing body announced that the World Cup scheduled for June-July 2026 is set to see approximately five to ten million people in attendance. This was revealed by the president of the football governing body, Gianni Infantino.

    Speaking at a joint press briefing with U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House in Washington, D.C., on 17 November, he noted that the tournament is expected to attract millions of people across the three countries set to host the games next year.

    “Millions of fans will be coming. One of the things I’ve observed in America is that the stadiums here are really built for people to have fun, to enjoy, to spend time. They don’t just watch the game and leave — they stay for hours, and I think that’s exactly what we need. We need occasions that bring people together from all over the world.”

    The USA is giving priority access to fans, the Whitehouse has announced.

    People from all over the World will travel to support their countries. Consequently, the Whitehouse has announced that fans set to travel for the tournament to the USA will be given the FIFA Prioritised Appointment Scheduling System (Pass), given that most of the matches will be played there.

    The FIFA Prioritised Appointment Scheduling System (FIFA PASS) is a special visa‑interview scheduling program created by the U.S. government and FIFA for the 2026 World Cup. It gives ticket holders priority access to U.S. visa appointments, ensuring fans can travel to matches in North America despite existing visa backlogs.

    Speaking during a joint press briefing with FIFA President Gianni Infantino at the White House in Washington, D.C., on 17 November, President Donald Trump mentioned that “I’ve directed my administration to do everything within their power to make the 2026 World Cup an unprecedented success.”

    Detailing how the ‘World’ will gain access into the US, the Secretary of State Marco Rubio noted that, ticket-holders for the tournament, set for next June and July in the US, Canada and Mexico, will not be automatically granted a tourist visa.

    But foreign nationals with tickets to World Cup football matches could get an interview at an embassy or consulate within six to eight weeks of applying, Rubio said.

    Ghana qualified for the World Cup after finishing its Group I campaign with 25 points. They topped a zone that included Mali, Madagascar, Chad, the Central African Republic and Comoros.

    Consequently, the government has announced a (GHS 150million) hundred and fifty million(($13m)  to fund the team’s preparations for the World’s biggest football tournament.

    During the presentation of the 2026 Budget Statement by the Finance Minister, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, on the floor of Parliament yesterday, he explained that, 

    “The government’s sustained investment in sports yielded impressive results, with the Black Stars qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. An amount of GH¢150 million has been allocated for the Black Stars to participate in the World Cup,” he stated.

  • 2026 World Cup: Otto Addo confirms England as the strongest team in the group

    2026 World Cup: Otto Addo confirms England as the strongest team in the group

    On Friday, December 5, Ghana found out which teams it will play against at the group level in the 2026 FIFA World Cup after the group draw was conducted on Friday at the John F. Kennedy Centre for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C. 

    It’s confirmed that the Black Stars are in Group L with England, Croatia, and Panama, with their matches scheduled to be held in Toronto, Foxborough, and Philadelphia.

    Among these countries, Ghana Black Stars head coach Otto Addo believes England is the favourite to finish atop the group.

    Speaking during an interview with Ghanafa.org former Dutch talent coach stated that “For sure, England is the favourite in that group”.

    While he acknowledged England as favourites in Group L, he, however, mentioned that he doesn’t treat any of the teams lightly.

    “I look forward to every game as special.”Very important for us that we don’t underrate any team…. but for me as a coach, to be honest, I’m looking at every game equally,” he noted.

    England were 2018 World Cup finalists, while Croatia reached the semi-finals in the Qatar edition, and Panama will be making only their second appearance in World Cup history.

    Ghana will open their tournament against Panama on Wednesday, 17 June, before facing England and Croatia on 23 and 27 June, respectively.

    The Black Stars have been eliminated at the group stage in each of their last two World Cup appearances.

    Ghana qualified for the World Cup after finishing its Group I campaign with 25 points. They topped a zone that included Mali, Madagascar, Chad, the Central African Republic and Comoros.

    Consequently, the government has announced a (GHS 150million) hundred and fifty million(($13m)  to fund the team’s preparations for the World’s biggest football tournament.

    During the presentation of the 2026 Budget Statement by the Finance Minister, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, on the floor of Parliament yesterday, he explained that, 

    “The government’s sustained investment in sports yielded impressive results, with the Black Stars qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. An amount of GH¢150 million has been allocated for the Black Stars to participate in the World Cup,” he stated.

    Dr Forson explained that the funding underscores the government’s wider strategy to support national teams competing on the global stage and to strengthen sports development nationwide.

    He added that the government remains committed to improving sports infrastructure and nurturing talent across the country, noting that plans are underway to build new stadiums in selected regions.

    The Minister went on to commend the Black Stars for their hard work, which has led Ghana to secure its fifth qualification, cementing their place among Africa’s most consistent footballing nations.

    “Mr Speaker. We also take this opportunity to acknowledge the resilience and commitment of our Black Stars, whose qualification for the World Cup continues to inspire the nation”, Dr Forson noted.

    According to him, government commitment to the Sports sector has yielded what he describes as “impressive results”.

    Past governments over the years, mostly offered some form of financial support, be it full or partial, for supporters who travel to attend the World Cup. However, it has become a challenge over the years due to financial constraints.

    With the current state of the country’s sports sector, Ghana’s Sports Minister, Kofi Adams, has revealed that, while it has been a long-standing act, he “doesn’t recommend” it.

    Speaking during an interview with Peace FM, Mr Adams revealed that, while no allocation will be made for flying fans to the tournament, the government will offer other support, but not financial, citing that anyone who intends to go to the World Cup will have to find their own resources.

    He said the country’s economic challenges as the main reason for the government’s decision not to finance fan travel.

    “Well, there is no game or tournament we don’t go with supporters, but whether I will take them or someone else will take them is a different ball game,” he said.

    Mr Adams says there is a need for the government to prioritise investment in the country’s sports infrastructure instead of spending it on fan sponsorship.

    “We are in a period of austerity. We need money to build sports infrastructure in Ghana. If we are going to spend money to transport supporters all the way to America, that same amount can build five multipurpose parks in some communities,” he stated.

    While confirming that government funding is off the table, Mr Adams encouraged individuals and corporate organisations to step in.

    “I believe there are a lot of Ghanaians in those areas. Anyone who wants to go should find their own resources; we can facilitate their travel documents. Or we can mobilise support from corporate bodies, both private and public, to assist the fans.

    “Government can collaborate with corporations to support, which would be a good idea, but putting government money into the budget to take supporters, I don’t think so,” he added.

    Meanwhile, President John Dramani Mahama hopes the Black Stars will aim higher beyond their qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. He has urged the team to emulate Morocco and, in broader terms, envision doing more.

    President Mahama cited Morocco as a model because it made history at the 2022 FIFA World Cup by becoming the first African nation to reach the semi-finals.

    Referring to an unforgettable situation in the history of Ghana football, where Asamoah’s penalty miss cost Ghana’s place in the semi-finals, he urged the team, 

    “We must follow in the footsteps of Morocco by going beyond the semi-finals and, who knows, with fingers crossed, bring the World Cup trophy home to make Ghana and Africa proud”.

  • Photos: Black Stars have their first training ahead of South Korea friendly tomorrow

    Photos: Black Stars have their first training ahead of South Korea friendly tomorrow

    The Black Stars have begun training ahead of their friendlies with South Korea in Seoul set for tomorrow Tuesday, November 18.

    Following their defeat to Japan on Friday, November 14, at the Toyota Stadium, Aichi, the head coach Otto Addo has expressed optimism despite player injury struggles.

    Two of the squad’s top players, Antoine Semenyo and Mohammed Salisu have both returned to their clubs due to fitness concerns, joining Francis Abu, who remains sidelined with a fractured ankle.

    Semenyo, who started in last Friday’s friendly against Japan, was substituted in the 55th minute after aggravating a left anterior talo-fibular ligament sprain.

    These developments leave Addo with 19 players to finalize his lineup. The team will continue preparations with a session at the Seoul World Cup Stadium on Monday ahead of the 10:00 a.m. kickoff.

    Despite the disruptions, the Black Stars are determined to respond positively and close the international window on a strong note.

    In a pre-match interview, Otto Addo admitted the difficulties posed by the reduced squad however he said his side have “prepared very well”.

    “We were facing some difficulties due to injured players. It’s also, to be honest, not so easy for us to get replacements because of visa issues. It’s always not possible to get fast replacements. But we prepared very well,” he said.

    He continued, “We are looking forward to the match on Tuesday. The last time we met them was at the World Cup, where we won, but it was a very close match. We are happy to be here and happy to have this opportunity to play against South Korea,” Addo added.

    Also, Atalanta forward Kamaldeen Sulemana backed Otto Addo saying , 

    “It’s a different team than we played against a few years ago. I know they also have different players. It’s going to be a tough game for us, but I also think we can beat them,” Sulemana said.

    He added: “I think we’ve got the quality to beat them. We are going to try to do that. We are very excited to be here.”

    Meanwhile, during the Black Stars game with Japan, the Asian country notched their first goal just fifteen minutes into the game courtesy of Takumi Minamino. Japan dominated at a point after the possession was shared by both teams for a long period, giving Ghana a hard time breaking into their defence. 

    After the first half, the Black Stars conceded another goal in the 59th minute, when Ritsu Doan gave a fine strike, curling the ball into the bottom corner to seal the win. Ghana nearly responded, but Brandon Thomas-Asante dragged his effort wide.

     This came after Ghana suffered a setback when Abu Francis picked up a serious injury and was stretchered off, prompting Alidu Seidu’s introduction. Prince Kwabena Adu also replaced Semenyo.

    Ghana’s defeat has been partly attributed to Coach Otto Addo fielding debutants like Derrick Kohn and Joseph Annan.

    Addo made further substitutions, bringing on Gideon Mensah for Jerome Opoku and Christopher Baah Bonsu for Thomas-Asante, but Japan maintained control to secure the victory.

    Ahead of the clash, some key players, including Thomas Partey, Jordan Ayew, and Abdul Fatawu Issahaku, were missing from the squad listed to play Japan and South Korea in the friendlies in preparation for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

    Their absence sparked reactions from fans and pundits seeking explanations for the absence of such players.

    The Ghana Football Association (GFA) responded, stating that their exclusion was based on legitimate reasons. Speaking during an interview on Asempa FM in Accra, yesterday, Wednesday, November 12, the Communications Director of the Ghana Football Association (GFA), Henry Asante Twum, clarified that their absence is to allow budding talents to prove their worth in the senior national team.

    Head coach Otto Addo opted to give opportunities to emerging talents, including Kelvin Nkrumah, Prince Kwabena Adu, and Prince Osei Owusu.

    According to Henry, it was mutual consent that some key players were left out of the squad; some needed to rest.

    “Absentees from the Black Stars squad for the Japan and South Korea friendly games are due to legitimate reasons and not the travelling distance. We all came to an agreement that some players will need to rest while others are nursing injuries, so we had to let them stay behind. The new faces in the squad have been on the radar of the technical team for some time now, and this is an opportunity for them to prove their worth in these games,” he said.

    He further noted that the friendlies form part of a broader development plan aimed at building a strong team for future competitions.

    “These friendly games are aimed at working on something within the Black Stars setup and among the players. We just want to make use of the best talents for the future,” he added.

  • Otto Addo warns foreign-born players not to expect call-ups if they ignored earlier calls

    Otto Addo warns foreign-born players not to expect call-ups if they ignored earlier calls

    Black Stars head coach Otto Addo has responded to swirling concerns regarding his player selection for the global football tournament, FIFA 2026 World Cup.

    Speaking during an interview with 3Sports, which was aired on Tuesday, October 15, Otto Addo explicitly stated that players who have ignored their calls despite continuous efforts from the national team’s technical staff since 2021 should not expect any call-up now that the Black Stars have secured their ticket to the World Cup.

    “We will look at each case one by one. There are players I have been chasing since 2021, who didn’t reply to our calls or want to come. It’s a different thing if we haven’t approached you and now you want to come. But if we have been approaching you all the way and you said no, and now we are at the World Cup, so you want to come, that’s a different matter,” Addo said.

    His remarks follow reports that Callum Hudson-Odoi and Eddie Nketiah are considering switching allegiance to play for Ghana at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

    On his part, unity and commitment from and among the players have played a significant role in the team’s performance, hence the need to check a player’s commitment before giving them an opportunity.

    “I think Ghana should always have a certain pride. As a country, we need to check the commitment of each player. We have very good unity, and we don’t want to destroy it by bringing in players who don’t have commitment,” he added.

    About Callum Hudson-Odoi and Eddie Nketiah

    Callum Hudson-Odoi and Eddie Nketiah are both English-born footballers of Ghanaian descent. Hudson-Odoi plays for Nottingham Forest, while Nketiah plays for Crystal Palace.

    News about their joining Black Star surfaced around 2021-2023; however, it died out after reports of the players’ request for more time to ponder over the offer and make a decision.

    However, this month, it was reported that, following Ghana’s heavy win against the Central African Republic, these players have expressed their readiness to join the team in Ghana.

    Nketiah, during an appearance on The Beautiful Game podcast openly declared, “If Ghana invites me, then I’ll be there.”

    Oddoi, on the other hand, in June 2021, ahead of the 2022 World Cup, was allegedly contacted by the Ghana FA officials about switching allegiance. Soon after, he visited Ghana that summer, and he met with President Akufo-Addo and Sports Minister Mustapha Ussif, who urged him to consider playing for the Black Stars, but Hudson-Odoi did not commit.

    Subsequently, in November 2021, Oddoi, during a BBC Interview “I think obviously when you’re young and you’ve played for England, that’s something that you’re always proud of… but I feel like Ghana is my home as well.”

    He added that he was “open to anything” and would make a decision when the time was right.

    Also, Hudson-Odoi did not respond to Ghana’s invitations for AFCON 2023 qualifiers. But Ghana FA President Kurt Okraku confirmed in early 2023 that Hudson-Odoi had been contacted but had not completed the FIFA nationality switch.

    Meanwhile, Ghana sealed their place at the 2026 World Cup with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Comoros in their final Group I qualifier at the Accra Sports Stadium on Sunday, October 12, marking the country’s fifth appearance at football’s biggest tournament.

    While they look forward to finding out who their group-stage opponents will be when the official draw is held on December 5, they will embark on an Asian tour to face South Korea and Japan as part of their preparations for the World Cup next year.

    This was officially announced by the Ghana Football Association (GFA)  on October 9, in a press release following Ghana’s 5–0 victory over the Central African Republic.

    The first clash is scheduled for November 14 in Toyota as part of the prestigious Kirin Cup, against Japan, before they travel to Seoul to face South Korea three days later, on November 17.

    Both Japan and South Korea have already booked their places at the 2026 World Cup and are expected to field full-strength lineups, providing Ghana with a crucial test ahead of next year’s continental and global competitions.

    The Asian tour forms part of the Ghana Football Association’s broader plan to give coach Otto Addo the platform to evaluate his squad and fine-tune tactics before the global showpiece.

    Meanwhile, President John Dramani Mahama hopes the Black Stars will aim higher beyond their qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. He has urged the team to emulate Morocco and, in broader terms, envision doing more.

    President Mahama cited Morocco as a model because they made history at the 2022 FIFA World Cup by becoming the first African nation to reach the semi-finals.

    Ghana sealed their place at the 2026 World Cup with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Comoros courtesy of a decisive goal from Mohammed Kudus in their final Group I qualifier at the Accra Sports Stadium on Sunday, October 12, marking the country’s fifth appearance at football’s biggest tournament.

    Referring to an unforgettable situation in the history of Ghana football, where Asamoah’s penalty miss cost Ghana’s place in the semi-finals, he urged the team, 

    “We must follow in the footsteps of Morocco by going beyond the semi-finals and, who knows, with fingers crossed, bring the World Cup trophy home to make Ghana and Africa proud”.

    He further went on to call on Ghanaians to support the team without any bias.

    “We must all rally behind the Black Stars. We must support them to the hilt. Let’s not bring in any partisan or ethnic considerations. Let’s give them our full support,” he added.

    The Black Stars will discover their group-stage opponents during the World Cup draw on December 5, 2025, at the John F. Kennedy Centre for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C.

    Following a group-stage exit at their previous World Cup in Qatar, Ghana now hope to make a lasting impact in the 2026 tournament, which will be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

    FIFA President Gianni Infantino congratulated Ghana for securing its ticket to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

    In a congratulatory message shared via video on the football governing body’s Instagram, Infantino praised the four-time African champions for their achievement and expressed excitement about their return to the world stage.

    “Congratulations to the Black Stars on reaching the FIFA World Cup for the fifth time in history. Your fans will bring colours, style and passion to the greatest FIFA World Cup ever in 20226 in Canada, Mexico and the United States.

    “We expect that your team will establish more global stars to follow in the footsteps of the famous team that made the quarterfinals of the tournament in South Africa in 2010, but for now, enjoy this special moment, and we cannot wait to see who the Black Stars will face when we have the final tournament draw on the 5th of December.

    “See you very soon and well. Congratulations!”

  • Whatever happens is not in my hands – Otto Addo on his future with Black Stars 

    Whatever happens is not in my hands – Otto Addo on his future with Black Stars 

    Black Stars head coach Otto Addo has reacted to questions surrounding his future with the team. 

    His second coming as a Black Stars head coach was met with mixed reactions. While some supported him as the most familiar to handle the team, others questioned his maturity, his tactical prowess, especially after the Black Stars’ group-stage exit at the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). 2022 under his leadership.

    However, his recent record as the first coach in Ghana’s football history to oversee the team’s qualification to the world’s biggest football tournament, the 2026 FIFA World Cup, twice, has sparked some confidence from fans about his competency, as well as questions surrounding his long-term future due to his inconsistencies in performances.

    Ahead of Ghana’s final game for the 2026 World Cup clash with Comoros, in an interview with the Ghana FA  website, the former Dortmund talent coach intimated that his focus is to make Ghanaians happy and not to worry about keeping his job, a situation he has no control over.

    “What happens after is not in my hands. I hope that a lot of people, if we win, can go to America. We have to win this game. This is what we are looking at. If Ghanaians are happy, then we are happy,” he said.

    Addressing calls for his dismissal, including ones from the former Majority speaker of Parliament and the former Suame Member of Parliament (MP), Osei Kyei Mensah Bonsu, the Minister of Sports and Recreation, Kofi Adams, noted that the dismissal of Otto Addo is not a solo decision he can make but several factors will need to be considered before decision about the coach’s future is made.

    “If you listen to Otto Addo on the team, he said he will try a lot of legs to know who will go or not, but I believe the management and everybody who is involved in hiring the coach will consider a lot of factors,” “I pay him, but it is not my decision alone. The GFA has a role to play, and it is not about this or not and going forward, we will have all these conversations,” Mr Adams said during an interview on Asempa FM’s Ultimate Sports Show.

    The Minister, who also serves as the Member of Parliament for Buem Constituency, emphasised that Addo remains the head coach and deserves full support from all Ghanaians.

    “Ivory Coast sacked their coach during AFCON, and their assistant coach, Emerse Faé, led them to win the AFCON. If you are determined, you will bring success. At this moment, he is our coach, and we have to support him.”

    Ghana will discover their group-stage opponents for the 2026 FIFA World Cup on December 5.

    FIFA President Gianni Infantino congratulated Ghana for securing its ticket to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

    Ghana sealed their place at the 2026 World Cup with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Comoros in their final Group I qualifier at the Accra Sports Stadium on Sunday, October 12, marking the country’s fifth appearance at football’s biggest tournament.

    In a congratulatory message shared via video on the football governing body’s Instagram, Infantino praised the four-time African champions for their achievement and expressed excitement about their return to the world stage.

    “Congratulations to the Black Stars on reaching the FIFA World Cup for the fifth time in history. Your fans will bring colours, style and passion to the greatest FIFA World Cup ever in 20226 in Canada, Mexico and the United States.

    “We expect that your team will establish more global stars to follow in the footsteps of the famous team that made the quarterfinals of the tournament in South Africa in 2010, but for now, enjoy this special moment, and we cannot wait to see who the Black Stars will face when we have the final tournament draw on the 5th of December.

    “See you very soon and well. Congratulations!”

    Ghana’s qualification marks their fifth appearance at the World Cup, following previous campaigns in 2006, 2010, 2014, and 2022.

    Among African nations, only Cameroon (8), Morocco (7), Tunisia (7), and Nigeria (6) have made more appearances on the world stage.

    The Black Stars accrued 25 points after their final World Cup qualifier. Initially sitting in third place after two rounds of matches, Ghana began their campaign against Madagascar on November 17, 2023, securing a 1–0 home victory on Matchday 1, before suffering a 1–0 away loss to Comoros on Matchday 2, November 21, 2023. The team bounced back strongly on March 21, delivering a convincing 4–0 win over Chad.

    This set the tone for another win against Madagascar on March 24. Ghana defeated Madagascar 3–0 in Morocco, with a brace from Thomas Partey and Mohammed Kudus bringing the team’s points to 15. They remained atop the group until their last game on October 12.

    Also, President John Dramani Mahama hopes the Black Stars will aim higher, beyond their qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. He has urged the team to emulate Morocco and, in broader terms, envision doing more.

    President Mahama cited Morocco as a model because they made history at the 2022 FIFA World Cup by becoming the first African nation to reach the semi-finals.

    Ghana sealed their place at the 2026 World Cup with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Comoros courtesy of a decisive goal from Mohammed Kudus in their final Group I qualifier at the Accra Sports Stadium on Sunday, October 12, marking the country’s fifth appearance at football’s biggest tournament.

    Referring to an unforgettable situation in the history of Ghana football, where Asamoah’s penalty miss cost Ghana’s place in the semi-finals, he urged the team,

    “We must follow in the footsteps of Morocco by going beyond the semi-finals and, who knows, with fingers crossed, bring the World Cup trophy home to make Ghana and Africa proud”.

    He further went on to call on Ghanaians to support the team without any bias.

    “We must all rally behind the Black Stars. We must support them to the hilt. Let’s not bring in any partisan or ethnic considerations. Let’s give them our full support,” he added.

  • What it will take to sack Otto Addo – Sports Minister details

    What it will take to sack Otto Addo – Sports Minister details

    Otto Addo’s second coming as a Black Stars head coach was met with mixed reactions. While some supported him as the most familiar to handle the team, others questioned his maturity, his tactical prowess, especially after the Black Stars’ group-stage exit at the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON)2022 under his leadership.

    However, his recent record as the first coach in Ghana’s football history to oversee the team’s qualification to the world’s biggest football tournament, the 2026 FIFA World Cup, twice, has sparked some confidence from fans about his competency, as well as questions surrounding his long-term future due to his inconsistencies in performances.

    Addressing calls for his dismissal, including ones from the former Majority speaker of Parliament and the former Suame Member of Parliament (MP), Osei Kyei Mensah Bonsu, the Minister of Sports and Recreation, Kofi Adams, noted that the dismissal of Otto Addo is not a solo decision he can make but several factors will need to be considered before decision about the coach’s future is made.

    “If you listen to Otto Addo on the team, he said he will try a lot of legs to know who will go or not, but I believe the management and everybody who is involved in hiring the coach will consider a lot of factors,” “I pay him, but it is not my decision alone. The GFA has a role to play, and it is not about this or not and going forward, we will have all these conversations,” Mr Adams said during an interview on Asempa FM’s Ultimate Sports Show.

    The Minister, who also serves as the Member of Parliament for Buem Constituency, emphasised that Addo remains the head coach and deserves full support from all Ghanaians.

    “Ivory Coast sacked their coach during AFCON, and their assistant coach, Emerse Faé, led them to win the AFCON. If you are determined, you will bring success. At this moment, he is our coach, and we have to support him.”

    Ghana will discover their group-stage opponents for the 2026 FIFA World Cup on December 5.

    FIFA President Gianni Infantino congratulated Ghana for securing its ticket to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

    Ghana sealed their place at the 2026 World Cup with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Comoros in their final Group I qualifier at the Accra Sports Stadium on Sunday, October 12, marking the country’s fifth appearance at football’s biggest tournament.

    In a congratulatory message shared via video on the football governing body’s Instagram, Infantino praised the four-time African champions for their achievement and expressed excitement about their return to the world stage.

    “Congratulations to the Black Stars on reaching the FIFA World Cup for the fifth time in history. Your fans will bring colours, style and passion to the greatest FIFA World Cup ever in 20226 in Canada, Mexico and the United States.

    “We expect that your team will establish more global stars to follow in the footsteps of the famous team that made the quarterfinals of the tournament in South Africa in 2010, but for now, enjoy this special moment, and we cannot wait to see who the Black Stars will face when we have the final tournament draw on the 5th of December.

    “See you very soon and well. Congratulations!”

    Ghana’s qualification marks their fifth appearance at the World Cup, following previous campaigns in 2006, 2010, 2014, and 2022.

    Among African nations, only Cameroon (8), Morocco (7), Tunisia (7), and Nigeria (6) have made more appearances on the world stage.

    The Black Stars accrued 25 points after their final World Cup qualifier. Initially sitting in third place after two rounds of matches, Ghana began their campaign against Madagascar on November 17, 2023, securing a 1–0 home victory on Matchday 1, before suffering a 1–0 away loss to Comoros on Matchday 2, November 21, 2023. The team bounced back strongly on March 21, delivering a convincing 4–0 win over Chad.

    This set the tone for another win against Madagascar on March 24. Ghana defeated Madagascar 3–0 in Morocco, with a brace from Thomas Partey and Mohammed Kudus bringing the team’s points to 15. They remained atop the group until their last game on October 12.

    Also, President John Dramani Mahama hopes the Black Stars will aim higher, beyond their qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. He has urged the team to emulate Morocco and, in broader terms, envision doing more.

    President Mahama cited Morocco as a model because they made history at the 2022 FIFA World Cup by becoming the first African nation to reach the semi-finals.

    Ghana sealed their place at the 2026 World Cup with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Comoros courtesy of a decisive goal from Mohammed Kudus in their final Group I qualifier at the Accra Sports Stadium on Sunday, October 12, marking the country’s fifth appearance at football’s biggest tournament.

    Referring to an unforgettable situation in the history of Ghana football, where Asamoah’s penalty miss cost Ghana’s place in the semi-finals, he urged the team,

    “We must follow in the footsteps of Morocco by going beyond the semi-finals and, who knows, with fingers crossed, bring the World Cup trophy home to make Ghana and Africa proud”.

    He further went on to call on Ghanaians to support the team without any bias.

    “We must all rally behind the Black Stars. We must support them to the hilt. Let’s not bring in any partisan or ethnic considerations. Let’s give them our full support,” he added.

  • This pressure is not new – Otto Addo on higher expectations from team ahead of CAR game

    This pressure is not new – Otto Addo on higher expectations from team ahead of CAR game

    Black Stars head coach Otto Addo has acknowledged the noticeable pressure on the team to secure a ticket to the global football tournament in 2026. He believes this is not new with Ghana currencyly sitting atop Group I with 19 points, it is highly expected for fans, stakeholders among others to be highly expected in terms of the team’s triumph.

    Speaking in a pre-match conference in Meknès, Morocco, ahead of his side’s clash with Central Africa Republic in later today  Wednesday, October 8, the former Dortmund coach said, “the so-called pressure that we have right now is normal”.

    Black Stars’ match which comes off today is their second-to-last World Cup clash that will determine whether Ghana will be able to secure the 4 points needed to secure their seat at the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup.

    However, he recommended an early goal for his side to reduce the pressure. “I’m just hoping that we can have an early goal; it will make things easier,” while expressing confidence in his squad to give the best results largely expected in the matches.

    “When we are first and just two matches to go, it’s expected. The players are experienced enough. Surely, we have some young ones, but we also have experienced players who will guide them,” he said.

    He continued that, despite their position in Group I, there is a need for the team to maintain their stability and be consistent as the qualifiers draw to a close.

    “Consistency is the key to success. If you make too many changes, it’s difficult for the players to connect,” he said.

    The Black Stars’ encounter against the Central African Republic kicks off at 16:00 GMT. The four-time African champions will play the match at the Stade d’Honneur in Morocco. They will conclude their qualifying campaign on Sunday, October 12, when they host Comoros at the Accra Sports Stadium.

    Otto Addo has finalised his squad for the double-header. He released the squad list yesterday, October 2, with the official list. Following the clash with CAR, the Black Stars will return to Accra to host Comoros at the Accra Sports Stadium on Sunday, October 12, in their final qualifier.

    Full Squad Overview

    Goalkeepers: Lawrence Ati Zigi (St. Gallen), Benjamin Asare (Hearts of Oak), Joseph Anang (St. Patrick’s Athletic)

    Defenders: Alexander Djiku (Spartak Moscow), Mohammed Salisu (AS Monaco), Gideon Mensah (Auxerre), Alidu Seidu (Clermont Foot), Caleb Yirenkyi (FC Nordsjælland), Kojo Peprah Oppong (OGC Nice)

    Midfielders: Thomas Partey (Villarreal CF), Mohammed Kudus (Tottenham Hotspur), Elisha Owusu (Auxerre), Kwasi Sibo (Real Oviedo), Prince Owusu (Medeama SC)

    Forwards: Inaki Williams (Athletic Club), Antoine Semenyo (AFC Bournemouth), Joseph Paintsil (LA Galaxy), Kamaldeen Sulemana (Atalanta), Abdul Fatawu Issahaku (Leicester City), Jordan Ayew (Leicester City), Christopher Bonsu Baah (Al-Qadsiah).

    In a related development, the Ministry of Sports and Recreation has released ticket prices ahead of Ghana’s final 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying match against Comoros.

    The game will be hosted at the Accra Sports Stadium on Sunday at 19:00 GMT.

    The prices, which were announced in an official statement, detailed that “Tickets for the Ghana versus Comoros match are priced as follows: VVIP – GH¢1,000, Upper VIP – GH¢500, Lower VIP – GH¢250, Centre Line – GH¢100, and Popular Stand – GH¢50.”

    The Minister also explained that “the pricing structure is designed to make the game accessible to fans from all walks of life.”

    Meanwhile, the Communications Director of the Ghana Football Association (GFA), Henry Asante Twum, announced a change in the Black Stars’ camping arrangements.

    Black Stars, who were originally scheduled to assemble and camp in Accra, headed straight to Morocco to camp for their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier against the Central African Republic (CAR).

    The change in plans, according to the Communications Director of the Ghana Football Association (GFA), Henry Asante Twum, during an appearance on Woezor TV, was to allow the players more recovery time and to avoid logistical challenges.

    In the interview, he explained that the decision to camp directly in Morocco was taken after consultations to ensure players had adequate rest and to avoid the logistical strain of flying from Accra just days before the match

    “Various discussions have been held, and I can confirm that there is a proposal that the players will report to Morocco instead of Accra because we don’t have enough time to prepare for the game,” he said.

    He explained that since most of the players will be in action for their clubs over the weekend, they are expected to report to camp on Sunday, with the last group arriving on Monday.

    “These players will play for their respective clubs this weekend, so we are expecting that the players will report to camp on Sunday and then the last badge of players are expected on Monday since the game is on a Wednesday so if they reports to Accra, they will have to be flown to Morocco either on Monday or Tuesday which will be a lot of work because the players will not have enough time and space to rest in between the period and some of the players will be coming from a far disctance so the last meeting we had, we proposed that we will meet in Morocco instead of meeting in Accra before flying to Morocco and that what is being firmed up,” he added.

    Meanwhile, Ghanaian attacking midfielder and Tottenham Hotspur star Mohammed Kudus has expressed optimism about the Black Stars’ chances of qualifying for the World Cup. In an interview with Sports Illustrated, Kudus said the squad, including himself, is heading in the right direction and will do everything possible to secure qualification.

    “We have to qualify at all costs. I think we are on the right path now. Obviously, AFCON is also one of the major tournaments that the country loves and wants to participate in. Not qualifying was a big disappointment, but I think the full focus now is on the World Cup qualifiers,” Kudus said.

    He highlighted that the current Black Stars squad are competent enough to replicate and even go beyond what their predecessors did about a decade and a half ago when they sailed through to the quarterfinals of the 2010 World Cup tournament.

    “2010, we went all the way to the quarterfinals. And I believe this squad can even do more than that. But first we have to qualify, and then we can focus on the tournament itself.”

  • 2026 WCQ: I hope we get an early goal, it’d make things easier – Otto Addo  

    2026 WCQ: I hope we get an early goal, it’d make things easier – Otto Addo  

    Despite leading Group I with 19 points, Ghana’s Black Stars face mounting pressure from fans and stakeholders to win their remaining two matches and book their ticket to the 2026 FIFA World Cup, co-hosted by three nations.

    Black Stars’ second-to-last World Cup clash comes off today, Wednesday, October 8, against the Central African Republic (CAR), and speaking ahead of the game in a pre-match press conference in Meknès, Morocco, the team’s head coach Otto Addo highlighted that, “the so-called pressure that we have right now is normal,” Addo told reporters.

    However, he recommended an early goal for his side to reduce the pressure. “I’m just hoping that we can have an early goal; it will make things easier,” while expressing confidence in his squad to give the best results largely expected in the matches.

    “When we are first and just two matches to go, it’s expected. The players are experienced enough. Surely, we have some young ones, but we also have experienced players who will guide them,” he said.

    He continued that, despite their position in Group I, there is a need for the team to maintain their stability and be consistent as the qualifiers draw to a close.

    “Consistency is the key to success. If you make too many changes, it’s difficult for the players to connect,” he said.

    The Black Stars’ encounter against the Central African Republic kicks off at 16:00 GMT. The four-time African champions will play the match at the Stade d’Honneur in Morocco. They will conclude their qualifying campaign on Sunday, October 12, when they host Comoros at the Accra Sports Stadium.

    Otto Addo has finalised his squad for the double-header. He released the squad list yesterday, October 2, with the official list. Following the clash with CAR, the Black Stars will return to Accra to host Comoros at the Accra Sports Stadium on Sunday, October 12, in their final qualifier.

    Full Squad Overview

    Goalkeepers: Lawrence Ati Zigi (St. Gallen), Benjamin Asare (Hearts of Oak), Joseph Anang (St. Patrick’s Athletic)

    Defenders: Alexander Djiku (Spartak Moscow), Mohammed Salisu (AS Monaco), Gideon Mensah (Auxerre), Alidu Seidu (Clermont Foot), Caleb Yirenkyi (FC Nordsjælland), Kojo Peprah Oppong (OGC Nice)

    Midfielders: Thomas Partey (Villarreal CF), Mohammed Kudus (Tottenham Hotspur), Elisha Owusu (Auxerre), Kwasi Sibo (Real Oviedo), Prince Owusu (Medeama SC)

    Forwards: Inaki Williams (Athletic Club), Antoine Semenyo (AFC Bournemouth), Joseph Paintsil (LA Galaxy), Kamaldeen Sulemana (Atalanta), Abdul Fatawu Issahaku (Leicester City), Jordan Ayew (Leicester City), Christopher Bonsu Baah (Al-Qadsiah)

    In a related development, the Ministry of Sports and Recreation has released ticket prices ahead of Ghana’s final 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying match against Comoros.

    The game will be hosted at the Accra Sports Stadium on Sunday at 19:00 GMT.

    The prices, which were announced in an official statement, detailed that “Tickets for the Ghana versus Comoros match are priced as follows: VVIP – GH¢1,000, Upper VIP – GH¢500, Lower VIP – GH¢250, Centre Line – GH¢100, and Popular Stand – GH¢50.”

    The Minister also explained that “the pricing structure is designed to make the game accessible to fans from all walks of life.”

    Meanwhile, the Communications Director of the Ghana Football Association (GFA), Henry Asante Twum, announced a change in the Black Stars’ camping arrangements.

    Black Stars, who were originally scheduled to assemble and camp in Accra, headed straight to Morocco to camp for their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier against the Central African Republic (CAR).

    The change in plans, according to the Communications Director of the Ghana Football Association (GFA), Henry Asante Twum, during an appearance on Woezor TV, was to allow the players more recovery time and to avoid logistical challenges.

    In the interview, he explained that the decision to camp directly in Morocco was taken after consultations to ensure players had adequate rest and to avoid the logistical strain of flying from Accra just days before the match

    “Various discussions have been held, and I can confirm that there is a proposal that the players will report to Morocco instead of Accra because we don’t have enough time to prepare for the game,” he said.

    He explained that since most of the players will be in action for their clubs over the weekend, they are expected to report to camp on Sunday, with the last group arriving on Monday.

    “These players will play for their respective clubs this weekend, so we are expecting that the players will report to camp on Sunday and then the last badge of players are expected on Monday since the game is on a Wednesday so if they reports to Accra, they will have to be flown to Morocco either on Monday or Tuesday which will be a lot of work because the players will not have enough time and space to rest in between the period and some of the players will be coming from a far disctance so the last meeting we had, we proposed that we will meet in Morocco instead of meeting in Accra before flying to Morocco and that what is being firmed up,” he added.

    Meanwhile, Ghanaian attacking midfielder and Tottenham Hotspur star Mohammed Kudus has expressed optimism about the Black Stars’ chances of qualifying for the World Cup. In an interview with Sports Illustrated, Kudus said the squad, including himself, is heading in the right direction and will do everything possible to secure qualification.

    “We have to qualify at all costs. I think we are on the right path now. Obviously, AFCON is also one of the major tournaments that the country loves and wants to participate in. Not qualifying was a big disappointment, but I think the full focus now is on the World Cup qualifiers,” Kudus said.

    He highlighted that the current Black Stars squad are competent enough to replicate and even go beyond what their predecessors did about a decade and a half ago when they sailed through to the quarterfinals of the 2010 World Cup tournament.

    “2010, we went all the way to the quarterfinals. And I believe this squad can even do more than that. But first we have to qualify, and then we can focus on the tournament itself.”

  • 2026 WCQ: Otto Addo releases 26-man squad for CAR clash

    2026 WCQ: Otto Addo releases 26-man squad for CAR clash

    Black Stars coach, Otto Addo, has announced his squad for the final FIFA World Cup qualifiers against the Central African Republic and the Comoros.

    Ghana currently have two more matches to determine their place in the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Their next clash is on Wednesday, October 8, at the Stade d’Honneur de Meknes, Morocco, at 16:00 GMT.

    Consequently, Otto Addo on October 2 released a twenty-six-man squad (26) which includes 3 goalkeepers, 8 defenders, 5 midfielders, and 10 forwards.

    The squad has a debutant, Medeama SC midfielder Prince Owusu, who has earned a call-up after his brilliant start to the 2025/2026 Ghana Premier League.

    Leicester City winger Abdul Fatawu Issahaku and Alidu Seidu of OGC Nice have both been included in the squad following their missing out on the previous lineup for both the Chad and Mali games.

    The duo were left out of the September squad by head coach Otto Addo as a precaution, given that they are still in recovery from different injuries.

    Abdul Fatawu Issahaku returns to the squad after a stellar performance for Leicester City in the English Championship, having been sidelined since November due to an Anterior Cruciate Ligament injury.

    Alidu Seidu also makes a return after recovering from a long-standing knee injury that kept him out of the squad since November last year.

    See the full squad overview:

    Goalkeepers: Lawrence Ati Zigi (St. Gallen), Benjamin Asare (Hearts of Oak), Joseph Anang (St. Patrick’s Athletic)

    Defenders: Alexander Djiku (Spartak Moscow), Mohammed Salisu (AS Monaco), Gideon Mensah (Auxerre), Alidu Seidu (Clermont Foot), Caleb Yirenkyi (FC Nordsjælland), Kojo Peprah Oppong (OGC Nice)

    Midfielders: Thomas Partey (Villarreal CF), Mohammed Kudus (Tottenham Hotspur), Elisha Owusu (Auxerre), Kwasi Sibo (Real Oviedo), Prince Owusu (Medeama SC)

    Forwards: Inaki Williams (Athletic Club), Antoine Semenyo (AFC Bournemouth), Joseph Paintsil (LA Galaxy), Kamaldeen Sulemana (Atalanta), Abdul Fatawu Issahaku (Leicester City), Jordan Ayew (Leicester City), Christopher Bonsu Baah (Al-Qadsiah)

    The Black Stars on matchday 9 will face the Central African Republic at Stade d’Honneur de Meknes on Wednesday, October 8, before hosting Comoros on matchday 10 at the Accra Sports Stadium on Sunday, October 12, 2025.

    The Black Stars are currently on top of Group I with 19 points and will need at least 3 points in their final two games to secure Ghana’s 5th FIFA World Cup qualification.

    Meanwhile, the Communications Director of the Ghana Football Association (GFA), Henry Asante Twum, has announced a change in the Black Stars’ camping arrangements.

    Black Stars, who were originally scheduled to assemble and camp in Accra, will now head straight to Morocco to camp for their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier against the Central African Republic (CAR).

    The change in plans, according to the Communications Director of the Ghana Football Association (GFA), Henry Asante Twum, during an appearance on Woezor TV, is to allow the players more recovery time and to avoid logistical challenges.

    In the interview, he explained that the decision to camp directly in Morocco was taken after consultations to ensure players had adequate rest and to avoid the logistical strain of flying from Accra just days before the match

    “Various discussions have been held, and I can confirm that there is a proposal that the players will report to Morocco instead of Accra because we don’t have enough time to prepare for the game,” he said.

    He explained that since most of the players will be in action for their clubs over the weekend, they are expected to report to camp on Sunday, with the last group arriving on Monday.

    “These players will play for their respective clubs this weekend, so we are expecting that the players will report to camp on Sunday and then the last badge of players are expected on Monday since the game is on a Wednesday so if they reports to Accra, they will have to be flown to Morocco either on Monday or Tuesday which will be a lot of work because the players will not have enough time and space to rest in between the period and some of the players will be coming from a far disctance so the last meeting we had, we proposed that we will meet in Morocco instead of meeting in Accra before flying to Morocco and that what is being firmed up,” he added.

    Ghana currently lead Group I with 19 points and require a victory to confirm their fifth World Cup appearance.

    The Ghana Black Stars have moved a rank higher in the latest FIFA ranking. This comes after their recent performances in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.

    The team have climbed from 76th to 75th. The Black Stars, after two matches with Chad and Mali, respectively, still sit atop Group 1 with 19 points, despite drawing with Chad on September 4 at the Stade Olympique Maréchal Idriss Déby Itno in N’Djamena.

    However, they had a win in their clash with Mali. Black Stars led by a goal, securing for themselves three (3) extra points and a point from Chad’s draw.

    Despite the global improvement, their standing in Africa remains unchanged, with the four-time African champions still ranked 14th on the continent.

    In July, Ghana’s Black Stars fell about six places in FIFA’s rankings at the time.

    This was after their loss to Angola and a 1-1 draw with Niger during the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers in September during the international break.

    In the ranking released on July 10, Ghana ranked 76th in the FIFA World Rankings. This leaves the former African giant out of the top 10 national teams as they continue the push to rejoin the continent’s elite.

    According to the July ranking, Argentina still held its spot as number one, followed by Spain, France, and then England, with Brazil taking the fifth spot.

    In Africa, Morocco sat on top with its 12th position on the global level with 1,698.72 points. Senegal also moved a spot up from its 19th position last year. Egypt dropped to 34 on the global scale but remained 3rd in Africa despite its slight dip from the 32nd position, which was caused by a quiet international window with no matches played since March.

    Meanwhile, other teams gained points through qualifiers and friendlies, allowing them to climb higher in the rankings.

    Algeria (36th), Nigeria (44th) and the Ivory Coast (45th) follow closely, despite the latter’s recent AFCON success.

    Tunisia (49th), Cameroon (51st), Mali (54th) and South Africa (57th) round out the African top ten, with Ghana sitting just outside the group.

  • We can qualify, but Otto Addo lacks tactics to take us far in the World Cup – Kyei Mensah Bonsu

    We can qualify, but Otto Addo lacks tactics to take us far in the World Cup – Kyei Mensah Bonsu

    Former Majority Leader and Suame Member of Parliament (MP), Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, has questioned Black Stars head coach, Otto Addo’s, competence to guide the senior national team through the international tournament, the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

    While he acknowledged his ability to help Ghana qualify for the tournament, he contended that 

    “I’m sure Ghana is going to qualify for the 2026 World Cup, but Otto Addo is not a coach who can lead us to the tournament,” he mentioned during an appearance on Wontumi FM.

    He named Mali as one of the teams he anticipated as tough contenders for Ghana, but following their 1-0 win, he is sceptical about their qualification.

    “I see Mali as the strongest opponent in our group; unfortunately, they did not start the qualification series well. It is too late for them to secure a qualification. For Madagascar, who are trailing us with 16 points, they can’t win the two remaining games,” he added.

    His comments come after Black Stars’ performance has been far from universally impressive since Otto Addo’s second stint as coach of the Ghana Black Stars. Although Ghana currently sits atop Group I, with 19 points, their past two games haven’t been very satisfying in terms of possession and dominance, among others.

    Consequently, however, Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu remains unconvinced about Addo’s suitability for the World Cup. 

    Addo, 48, was reappointed in March 2024 on a three-year contract with an option to extend for two more years. His tenure came under scrutiny after Ghana failed to advance from the group stage at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), finishing last with just three points from six matches.

    Ghana will conclude their qualification campaign in October with fixtures against the Central African Republic and Comoros.

    Otto Addo’s first exit

    Otto Addo parted ways with Ghana following the Black Stars’ elimination in the group stage in December 2022, during the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. Even before the team faced the elimination, the former Dortmund coach had already announced his intention to return to his role as talent coach at the Dutch club, Borussia Dortmund, right after the end of the tournament, citing personal and professional priorities, to focus on club football and development work in Germany.

    His second coming

    Otto Addo made a return in March 2024 on a 34-month contract (two years and ten months contract) with an option to extend by two more years. He returned to replace Chris Houghton, who was sacked shortly after Ghana’s disappointing run at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), where the team was eliminated in the group stage. Chris was sacked in January 2024, along with his entire technical team, as part of the restructuring.

    His return stirred mixed reactions, with many questioning his competence, while others also fumed, quizzing why he had to be chosen when other equally competent contenders were available to fit his role.

    His second coming was marred with a major failure, for the first time in twenty years, after Ghana failed to qualify for AFCON 2025, which triggered a major shake-up in the coaching setup. Despite public criticism and calls for resignation, Addo remained defiant and committed to rebuilding the team.

    Ghana’s Sports Minister, Kofi Adams, has been particularly vocal about the coach’s current performance. During an interview on Citi FM on Wednesday, September 10.

    “If I tell you I am impressed, then it means I do not know my job. I am not. There is still much room for improvement. Even the coach admits he has made mistakes and takes responsibility. But for how long will he continue to take the blame for poor decisions?”

    Meanwhile, Ghana Black Stars’ 1-0 win against Mali, pushes them closer to a seat at the international football tournament, 2026 FIFA World Cup.

    Ghana’s win was a comeback from their disappointing draw with Chad on September 4, in an away match hosted at N’Djamena. Jordan excited fans when he notched the opener in the 17th minute following an assist from Mohammed Kudus. Chad, however, managed to equalise when Celestine Ecua cancelled out Jordan Ayew’s opener.

    In Monday’s match, Alexander Djiku’s second-half strike cemented Ghana’s position at the top of Group I with 19 points.

    Ahead of the clash with Mali, Otto Addo expressed optimism about the team’s victory however, admitting that it will not be easy.

    His hopes were however not crushed; Black Stars made him proud with their narrow win. Their victory has widely been commended as fans are already excited about the team’s looming qualification for the World Cup .

    However, Otto Addo has issued a warning to both fans and players not to be complacent citing the need to respect each opponent.

    “Everybody was talking before the Chad game that we had already won. It’s dangerous. We are not at the World Cup yet,” Addo said after the game.“We have a lot of work to do, and every opponent must be respected,” he added.

    Speaking during a post match conference at the Accra Sports Stadium in Tuesday Septemebr 8, he highlighted that, some players were visibly nervous due to being newbies or debutants in the senior team however, lauded their ability to swiftly blending in after he first half. The former Dortmund coach described the first half of the match as a “deserved draw”.

    “Yeah, some problems, I think, yeah, you could see that we have a young squad and players who haven’t been playing often for the national team so far and we were a little bit nervous here and there, but after 50 minutes I think we got good into the game. It was, the game was even, but with a little bit of upper chances for us, so, but it was a, I think, yeah, it was a deserved draw to halftime and then we, we increased the pressure early in the second half, we managed to score out of a set piece.”

    He went on to applaud Antoine Semenyo for his relentless speed, which held the squad together against their opponents despite the pressure from Mali in the last minutes of the game.

    He said, “He fought until he couldn’t run anymore… I was very satisfied with his performance and with his runs, especially.”

  • Shocking and dissappointing – Ayew family responds to Otto Addo’s comments on Dede

    Shocking and dissappointing – Ayew family responds to Otto Addo’s comments on Dede

    Spokesperson for the Ayew family,Fiifi Tackie, has strongly criticized Black Stars head coach Otto Addo over remarks he deemed disrespectful towards Andre Dede Ayew.

    Otto Addo, while explaining his decision to omit Ayew from Ghana’s squad for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Chad and Madagascar, stated that the player’s current performances do not meet his expectations. He further noted that other players are currently ahead of Ayew in the team’s pecking order.

    Despite the exclusion, Addo emphasized that Ayew could return to the national team if his performances improve.

    “For Andre [Dede Ayew], the team is always open, and I am looking. If we need him, we will call him. At the moment, I see others ahead of him,” he told JoySports.

    Reacting to the comment, Tackie expressed his outrage at why the coach would sideline Dede Ayew, who has been actively playing for French side Le Havre this season.

    “Coach Otto Addo’s comments on Andre Ayew are shocking and disappointing. On numerous occasions, the same coach has said that one of the key criteria for selection into the national team is active club participation.

    “How can Ayew, Ghana’s most-capped player, a three-time World Cup veteran, and a proven leader, be deemed unworthy even when playing well at his club in the French league? Ayew’s legacy and commitment to the Black Stars are undeniable. His experience, leadership, and track record in major tournaments speak volumes,” he said.

    The Ayew family spokesperson further slammed Otto Addo for allegedly making rude comments about Dede Ayew and disregarding his legacy and sacrifices for the national team.

    “Such remarks are not only disrespectful to Ayew but also undermine his sacrifices and the pride he has brought to Ghana football. Coach Addo’s comments are unprofessional and unbecoming of someone in his position,” he added.

    Dede Ayew’s exclusion from the squad comes after Otto Addo previously left him out of Ghana’s team for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, which took place in 2024.

  • An advantage and a trap too – Otto Addo on neutral venue for Madagascar clash

    An advantage and a trap too – Otto Addo on neutral venue for Madagascar clash

    Ghana’s head coach, Otto Addo, believes playing Madagascar on neutral ground gives the Black Stars an advantage in their 2026 World Cup qualifier.

    The important Matchday 6 clash will be held at Al Hoceima Grand Stadium in Morocco, kicking off at 19:00 GMT.

    However, while Addo sees the neutral venue as a benefit, he also cautions his team to stay focused and avoid any mental lapses.

    “Should be [an advantage for us]. Actually yes [it’s an advantage for us] because it’s always not that easy if you play away [from home] and there are a lot of spectators, but sometimes it’s also a trap, psychologically,” the 49-year-old told Ghana FA media.

    “Sometimes if you think [that] it’s not going to be a hot atmosphere, it’s kind of a trap and you give maybe one or two per cent less, and for me… we have to be on our toes,” he added.

    After a commanding 5-0 win over Chad at the Accra Sports Stadium last week, Ghana is looking to keep their strong form going against Madagascar.

    The Black Stars are focused on qualifying for their fifth FIFA World Cup, which will take place next year in the USA, Canada, and Mexico.

  • Stay focused until it’s over – Otto Addo warns Black Stars against complacency ahead of Madagascar clash

    Stay focused until it’s over – Otto Addo warns Black Stars against complacency ahead of Madagascar clash

    Ghana’s coach, Otto Addo, has advised his players to remain focused and not underestimate their opponents as they get ready to play Madagascar in an important 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier on Monday.

    Ghana currently leads Group I after defeating Chad, and another win against Madagascar could give them a five-point advantage. However, Addo has warned that this is not the time to become overconfident.

    “It’s very, very important that we stay focused until we’ve made the job, and now it’s the whole focus about Madagascar,” he stressed as quoted by Ghana FA.

    “We really, really want to win this match, we want to have a clean sheet, and this is what we’re looking for.”

    Addo added that past results do not guarantee future success: “We could have won 10 games, and still we want to win the 11th. Statistics are good, but they don’t indicate that you will win or lose the next match.”

    While Ghana has scored 11 goals in their last three matches, defensive lapses remain a concern.

    “Football is a sport of mistakes, and who does more will lose. It’s very, very important that we have a positive mindset if we make a mistake,” Addo said.

    Reflecting on the victory over Chad, the former Dortmund assistant coach said, “Everybody knew what this game was about, and I’m very, very happy that we used our chances especially in the first half, because this made the game easier in the second half.”

    Now, his focus is on ensuring the team continues to push: “Nobody should take it easy, nobody should start thinking already about the World Cup because we need to take it step by step.”

  • Otto Addo praises Winfried Schäfer’s expertise in the Black Stars coaching team

    Otto Addo praises Winfried Schäfer’s expertise in the Black Stars coaching team

    Black Stars head coach Otto Addo has spoken highly of technical advisor Winfried Schäfer, highlighting his skill in handling tough situations.

    The veteran German coach joined Ghana’s technical team after the Black Stars failed to qualify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

    In an interview, Addo shared his confidence in Schäfer’s influence, calling his appointment a major boost for the team.

    “Winfried Schäfer has big, big experience. He has won the African Cup with Cameroon. He knows how to deal with difficult situations,” he told 3Sports.

    “We’ve been talking a lot. He’s been engaging from the first day with the players, and I am very, very happy that he’s on board,” he added.

    Schäfer is widely known for leading Cameroon to win the 2002 AFCON title.

    Meanwhile, Ghana will play against Chad at the Accra Sports Stadium on Friday, March 21, at 19:00 GMT. After that, they will travel to Morocco to face Madagascar on Monday, March 24.

  • Kofi Adams shares insights from talks with GFA about Otto Addo’s future

    Kofi Adams shares insights from talks with GFA about Otto Addo’s future

    Sports Minister Kofi Adams has revealed that he initially questioned the Ghana Football Association’s (GFA) decision to keep Otto Addo as the head coach of the Black Stars.

    However, after the GFA explained their reasons, he chose not to challenge the decision further. Instead, he is waiting to see how Otto Addo performs in the upcoming matches.

    As the Member of Parliament for Buem, Adams acknowledged that with the World Cup qualifiers approaching, he had to respect the GFA’s choice, even though he had some doubts.

    In an interview with TV3 on March 17, 2025, he stated that, given the ongoing qualifiers, removing Otto Addo is not currently a priority for the government.

    “The GFA brought the coach and the other persons to introduce them to me. At that meeting, I raised all those issues. Am I satisfied? I would say time will tell, but I had my concerns, and those concerns, I registered them. But I think at this moment, and at the time that I became the minister, we were too close to these qualifiers.

    “So, the issue of changes should not be on the table. That should be the last thing. The issue on the table now is how to prepare the team for the tasks ahead of us,” he said.

    Despite calls for Addo’s dismissal, the GFA decided to allow him to lead Ghana in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.

    The Black Stars will face Chad on March 21, 2025, at the Accra Sports Stadium before facing Madagascar in an away fixture on March 24, 2025.

  • Support us, we have difficult matches ahead – Otto Addo to Ghanaians ahead of 2026 World Cup qualifiers

    Support us, we have difficult matches ahead – Otto Addo to Ghanaians ahead of 2026 World Cup qualifiers

    Otto Addo has stressed the importance of the Black Stars winning their next qualifiers to keep their chances of reaching the 2026 FIFA World Cup alive.

    Ghana, a four-time African champion, will regroup later this month for two key matches against Chad and Madagascar in the qualifiers.

    After a disappointing performance in the 2025 AFCON qualifiers, where the team failed to win a game, Otto Addo visited the Ga Mantse on Wednesday, March 12, to ask for support. He emphasized that securing positive results is crucial for Ghana to qualify for the World Cup for the fifth time.

    “We came to seek your support and guidance,” the 49-year-old stated.

    “We have difficult matches ahead of us, and the country needs urgent victories to qualify for the World Cup. For that, I believe we need to support ourselves, especially the Ga chiefs and the entire people, so that everybody can be happy,” he added.

    The Black Stars are currently tied at the top of Group I with Comoros, both having nine points. They recently secured consecutive wins against Mali and the Central African Republic (CAR) in the qualifiers.

    Ghana will take on Chad at the Accra Sports Stadium on Friday, March 21, at 19:00 GMT. After that, they will travel to Morocco to face Madagascar at the Grand Stade d’Al Hoceima on Monday, March 24.

  • Otto Addo’s position to be reassessed – Sports Minister

    Otto Addo’s position to be reassessed – Sports Minister

    Minister of Sports and Recreation, Kofi Adams, has announced that Otto Addo’s position as head coach of the Black Stars will be reviewed.

    Despite signing a three-year contract in March 2024, with an option for an additional two years, Addo has come under fire after Ghana failed to qualify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) for the first time in 20 years. The team’s inability to win any qualifiers has led to widespread calls for a complete overhaul of the technical staff.

    As the Black Stars gear up for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, the Ghana Football Association (GFA) has bolstered the coaching team. However, Kofi Adams stressed in an interview with Woezor TV that the government, not the GFA, funds the national team’s technical staff, and any decisions should involve state consultation.

    By emphasizing state involvement, Adams highlighted the need for a collective approach to address the current challenges facing the team and to ensure a successful future.

    “First of all, the GFA doesn’t pay the Black Stars technical team; the government does, so you cannot go and appoint someone and say this is what I have appointed to manage a team that does not belong to you,” he said.

    “The national team does not belong to the GFA, and neither do they pay the coaches. It is the state that pays, so nobody can sit anywhere and say that when they decide, they cannot consult anybody in making that decision. If that is the mindset of how they approach their work, then they will have issues.

    “The country has only asked the GFA to manage the national teams, and that is why the state pays the coaches and still funds all the qualifiers. So how do you appoint somebody that the state will pay but don’t involve the state in decision-making?” he quizzed.

    German coach Winfried Schäfer has been brought in as a technical advisor for the Black Stars and as the technical director for the association. Additionally, Black Satellites coach Desmond Ofei has joined the technical team, while John Paintsil and Fatau Dauda continue in their roles as second assistant coach and goalkeepers’ trainer, respectively.

    Kris Perquy has been appointed as the team psychologist, and Gregory De Grauwe will serve as the video analyst.

    Despite these changes, Sports Minister Kofi Adams has expressed concerns over the GFA’s approach to decision-making regarding coaching appointments.

    With Ghana missing out on AFCON 2025, the Black Stars will shift their focus to the upcoming 2026 World Cup qualifiers, where they will face Chad and Madagascar in the next round of matches next month.

  • Sports Minister to engage GFA if Otto Addo remains the best fit for Ghana’s coaching role

    Sports Minister to engage GFA if Otto Addo remains the best fit for Ghana’s coaching role

    Ghana’s Minister of Sports and Recreation, Kofi Adams, has announced that discussions will be held with the Ghana Football Association (GFA) concerning the future of Black Stars head coach Otto Addo.

    Reappointed in March 2024 on a three-year contract, the 49-year-old Addo has faced significant scrutiny after failing to secure the national team’s qualification for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

    In response to growing concerns, the GFA has taken measures to bolster the Black Stars’ technical team ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.

    As part of these changes, the experienced German coach and former Cameroon AFCON winner, Winfried Schäfer, has been appointed as the technical advisor and football director for both the Black Stars and the GFA.

    Additionally, Kris Perquy will join as the team psychologist, and Gregory De Grauwe will take on the role of video analyst.

    In an interview with Asempa FM’s Ultimate Sports Show, Minister Adams recognized the decision to retain Addo but stressed the importance of further evaluation to determine if he remains the right fit for the role.

    “We will engage the GFA on the future of Otto Addo, and we will arrive at a common ground and know whether he will stay or leave,” he said.

    “We didn’t qualify for the AFCON, but we plan to qualify for the World Cup, so we will engage the GFA to know if Otto Addo is the right person for the team going forward.

    “I have heard all the complaints of Ghanaians, but we will engage the GFA. I believe that we cannot do the same thing and expect a different result,” he added.

    Meanwhile, former Black Stars players John Paintsil and Fatau Dauda have been retained as part of the technical team.

  • Some members of GFA worried about Otto Addo’s fate at Black Stars – Kofi Adams

    Some members of GFA worried about Otto Addo’s fate at Black Stars – Kofi Adams

    Minister-designate for Sports and Recreation, Kofi Adams, has revealed that concerns over the future of Black Stars head coach Otto Addo extend beyond fans, with some members of the Ghana Football Association (GFA) and even players expressing uncertainty.

    Otto Addo has faced intense scrutiny following Ghana’s failure to qualify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). Despite the backlash, the GFA’s Executive Council voted to retain him, leading to a restructuring of his technical team ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.

    Speaking on Sporty FM, Adams admitted that doubts about Addo’s leadership persist within the football community, including from individuals directly involved in the national team setup.

    “The future of Otto Addo is a matter of concern to me. This concern of stay or not stay is not just coming from the non-playing body—that is what is of great concern to me,” he stated.

    “Not just the fans, but the engagements I have had go beyond that to even the playing body and some members of GFA (current and former).”

    Adams, who faced vetting before Parliament’s Appointments Committee on Thursday, 30th January, is set to assume his role as Minister for Sports and Recreation in the coming days should he be approved by Parliament.

  • It was tough, not everyone agreed – GFA’s Henry Asante Twum on keeping Otto Addo

    It was tough, not everyone agreed – GFA’s Henry Asante Twum on keeping Otto Addo

    Communications Director of the Ghana Football Association (GFA), Henry Asante Twum, has revealed that the decision to retain Otto Addo as head coach of the Black Stars was not an easy one.

    Despite facing intense criticism for the team’s underwhelming performances, particularly the failure to qualify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), Addo’s position was debated among the GFA Executive Council members.

    However, after careful consideration, the council ultimately opted to keep the 49-year-old in charge. Speaking on Sporty FM, Asante Twum admitted that the decision was a tough one, with many members uncertain about Addo’s future.

    “It was a very tensed atmosphere where the Council members espoused their feelings and their positions on the future of the technical team. Not all of them said yes. It was very very difficult,” he said.

    “I sat there for hours and still, it got to the point where there was a stalemate so the meeting had to be adjourned and for them to reconvene again so it was tough.

    “It was not just a straightforward decision that after hearing from him or listening to him, we want to say yes or we are all saying yes to his continuous stay in office or otherwise. It was very tough. The end product is that he will stay based on the council’s stay. But the factors that led to the decision was very very tough.”

    When the team reconvenes in March for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, Addo will be determined to silence his critics and demonstrate his capability.

  • Otto Addo has lost the dressing room completely – Saddick Adams explains how

    Otto Addo has lost the dressing room completely – Saddick Adams explains how

    Black Stars coach Otto Addo is said to have had disagreements with some key players in the team over strict rules he has introduced, according to top sports journalist Saddick Adams.

    Saddick Adams explained that Otto Addo’s efforts to bring discipline to the team may have upset some players who are not happy with his new regulations.

    The journalist, also known as Sports Obama, revealed that rules like mandatory breakfast, fines for lateness, and publicly scolding players are some of the measures Otto Addo has put in place, which have not been well received by the team.

    Additionally, some players feel that playing for the national team affects their club performance, as they struggle to regain their form after national duties.

    “Otto Addo has lost the dressing room. One player told me that Otto Addo introduced some quite unpopular things among the playing body.

    “He has introduced compulsory breakfast, which is a norm at the club level. He also instituted fines for lateness. One player told me that they were late for a meeting and he scolded them in front of the players.

    “Otto Addo has lost all the key players except for just two. He has lost most of them. Due to some of the issues he took during the qualifiers, he lost some of the players.

    “The real issue is that some of the players believe that it takes them about five games to recover their form whenever they come to play for the country. There is a toxic environment in the team,” he said this on the ABN Sports segment.

    Saddick Adams’ comments come as it has been confirmed that Otto Addo will continue as the head coach of the Black Stars.

    Dr. Randy Abbey, chairman of the Black Stars Management Committee, has stated that the GFA will keep Otto Addo as head coach but will replace the assistant coaches.

    “We think the GFA has made its decision already,” Abbey told Original FM.

    “The GFA is keeping Otto Addo. Right now, the focus is on the World Cup qualifiers. We will be ensuring that we reverse the poor trend of results that led to the team’s failure to qualify for AFCON. We need to change course and put the Black Stars back on the winning path,” he earlier said.

  • “GFA is keeping Otto Addo” – Dr. Randy Abbey confirms

    “GFA is keeping Otto Addo” – Dr. Randy Abbey confirms

    GFA Executive Council member Dr. Randy Abbey has confirmed that Otto Addo will continue as the Black Stars head coach, despite the team failing to qualify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

    Ghana performed poorly under Addo, earning just three points from six matches with three losses and three draws—one of their worst AFCON qualifying campaigns.

    Many fans have called for Addo to be sacked, especially since he was reappointed in March 2024 on a long-term contract.

    However, in an interview with Original FM, Dr. Abbey, who is also the Black Stars Management Committee Chairman, stated that the GFA has no plans to remove the 49-year-old coach.

    “I think the GFA has taken the decision already,” Dr Abbey stated.

    He further disclosed plans to overhaul the team’s backroom staff to provide Addo with the necessary support for success.

    Despite the AFCON disappointment, Addo has revived Ghana’s World Cup hopes with crucial victories against Mali and the Central African Republic in the ongoing qualifiers.

    The GFA remains confident that with the right support system, he can steer the team back to success.

    “The GFA is keeping Otto Addo. Immediately, it’s about the World Cup qualifiers that start in March, and to ensure that the poor trend of results that led to non-qualification for AFCON is reversed to put the Black Stars back on the winning path,” Dr Abbey emphasized.

    Ghana will play against Chad and Madagascar in March for the 5th and 6th rounds of the World Cup qualifiers.

    This is Otto Addo’s second time as head coach of the Black Stars. He first led the team to qualify for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. After Ghana’s poor performance at the AFCON in Ivory Coast, he was reappointed in early 2024.

  • Future of Otto Addo to be decided at next Executive Council Meeting

    Future of Otto Addo to be decided at next Executive Council Meeting

    Communications Director of the Ghana Football Association (GFA), Henry Asante Twum, has announced that the Executive Council will decide Otto Addo’s future in their upcoming meeting.

    The 49-year-old coach is under pressure after failing to qualify the Black Stars for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), ending a 20-year streak of participation in the tournament.

    Ghana’s performance in the qualifiers was disappointing, with three losses and three draws in six matches, leaving them at the bottom of Group F with only three points. In 2024, the team managed just two wins out of 10 games.

    Calls for Addo’s removal have been growing following this poor performance.

    While Addo has submitted his technical report to the Executive Council, Asante Twum clarified that no final decision has been made yet.

    “To be honest, the very day Otto Addo presented his report, the Executive Council held about a seven-hour meeting, and all the members of the Council, except Kwesi Appiah, made their views known,” he told Asempa FM’s Ultimate Sports Show.

    “The areas of concern, including player management, tactics, and call-ups, were all discussed, but I cannot read the body language of everybody and say they want him [Otto Addo] to stay or go. What I know is that there was no decision made.”

    “What I know is that a decision will be made at the next Executive Council meeting,” he added.

    Addo, who took over from Chris Hughton, was reappointed in March 2024 on a three-year contract with a two-year extension option.

  • Sack Otto Addo and not his assistants – GFA told

    Sack Otto Addo and not his assistants – GFA told

    Former Ghanaian footballer Mohammed Gargo has denied reports suggesting that the Ghana Football Association (GFA) plans to fire John Paintsil and Joseph Laumann from their roles as assistant coaches of the Black Stars.

    Gargo explained that removing the assistant coaches would not solve the team’s issues since they follow the instructions of the head coach.

    He emphasized that head coach Otto Addo is responsible for most of the decisions, and therefore, any accountability should fall on him, not the assistants.

    In an interview with Citi Sports, Gargo recommended that the GFA consider dismissing Otto Addo instead, as the assistants play a smaller role in the team’s performance.

    “Whenever a team wants to dismiss its technical team, it should start with the head coach, as they are responsible for the team’s performance. The head coach gives instructions to assistants, who carry out the day’s business, including training sessions and preparations.

    “So, if changes are to be made, the entire technical team should go, making way for a new team that can potentially do better. However, it’s unfair to sack the assistants and retain the head coach. In post-match interviews, Otto Addo has taken responsibility for the team’s performance,” Gargo said.

    This follows reports that the GFA intends to part ways with Black Stars assistant coaches John Paintsil and Joseph Laumann as part of a plan to overhaul the technical team.

    As the 2026 World Cup qualifiers resume in March 2025, the Black Stars will face Chad at home and travel to Madagascar.

  • ‘Poor’ – Kwesi Nyantakyi on Otto Addo’s performance as Black Stars coach

    ‘Poor’ – Kwesi Nyantakyi on Otto Addo’s performance as Black Stars coach

    Former Ghana Football Association (GFA) president Kwesi Nyantakyi has expressed disappointment in Otto Addo’s tenure as head coach of the Black Stars.

    Addo, who was hired in March 2024 on a three-year deal, has faced heavy criticism for failing to qualify the national team for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON)—a setback Ghana hasn’t experienced in 20 years.

    In six qualifying matches, the Black Stars failed to secure a single win, finishing last in Group F with only three points.

    Over the past year, the senior team recorded just two wins in 14 games, with Addo in charge of 10 of those matches.

    Nyantakyi, a former CAF 1st Vice President, believes these poor results clearly show that Addo has not lived up to expectations.

    “With the performance of the Black Stars under Otto Addo, everything shows that he is not doing well,” he told Asempa FM’s Sports Nite.

    “The last time Ghana failed to qualify for an AFCON tournament was twenty years ago and under Otto Addo, we did not qualify so he has not performed.”

    While Nyantakyi refrained from directly calling for Addo’s dismissal, he emphasized that the results speak for themselves.

    “I am not in the position to say he has to be sacked or stay but the numbers are there for all of us to see,” he added.

    The GFA has not yet decided on Otto Addo’s future after the team’s failure to qualify for the AFCON.

    However, the Black Stars are scheduled to meet again in March for their World Cup qualifying matches.

  • GFA mulls appointment of technical director to assist Otto Addo

    GFA mulls appointment of technical director to assist Otto Addo

    Ghana Football Association (GFA) is reportedly considering hiring a technical director to assist Black Stars head coach Otto Addo.

    This comes as the 47-year-old coach’s future hangs in the balance following Ghana’s failure to qualify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco.

    For the first time in 20 years, the four-time African champions missed out on Africa’s biggest football tournament after finishing last in Group F. They managed only three points from six games, with three draws and three losses.

    The disappointing performance has put the Ghana Football Association (GFA) under heavy pressure to review its coaching setup. Otto Addo, who signed a three-year contract in March 2024 with an option for a two-year extension, is now facing calls for his dismissal.

    In response, the GFA held a long meeting with Addo and his technical team, announcing that further discussions with stakeholders would decide his future.

    Meanwhile, reports suggest the GFA is considering hiring a technical director to work alongside Addo as the team prepares for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.

    If this plan goes through, Addo is likely to remain as head coach, but changes in the backroom staff are expected.

    Additionally, GFA Communications Director Henry Asante Twum has revealed that Otto Addo has not been paid for four months.

    “It is true we owe Otto Addo. As of the last update from the Sports Ministry, there are salary arrears, which unfortunately is not a new issue,” Twum said in an interview with Asempa FM’s Ultimate Sports.

    “We have held several meetings with the Ministry about the payments. Otto Addo understands the challenges, and we are working to resolve the issue.”

    Following the disappointing AFCON qualifiers, the Black Stars will aim to bounce back with a stronger performance in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, starting with matches against Chad and Madagascar in March.

  • Otto Addo accepts responsibility for Black Stars’ poor performance – GFA

    Otto Addo accepts responsibility for Black Stars’ poor performance – GFA

    Ghana Football Association (GFA) has announced that Black Stars head coach Otto Addo has taken full responsibility for the team’s recent poor performance, which led to their failure to qualify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

    This was disclosed in a statement issued after a meeting between Otto Addo and the GFA’s Executive Council on November 27, 2024.

    During the meeting, Otto Addo presented a detailed 56-page technical report, which was thoroughly reviewed by the Executive Council and regional GFA chairmen. He also addressed all their questions and concerns.

    The statement further highlighted that Otto Addo outlined a plan to address the identified challenges, emphasizing the importance of building a disciplined and accountable system to foster trust among players and staff.

    The statement went on to say, “Addo also highlighted the importance of establishing a clear and recognisable playing philosophy moving forward.

    “The Executive Council of the Ghana Football Association (GFA) and Regional Football Chairmen shared the nation’s disappointment with Addo.

    “They echoed the widespread desire for the Black Stars to deliver better results, particularly in the upcoming World Cup qualifying matches.

    “Addo was informed that the GFA plans to engage in further consultations with key stakeholders to develop a comprehensive strategy for the national team. This approach aims to create a sustainable path to success for the Black Stars.”

    The GFA reiterated its commitment to holistic decision-making for the betterment of Ghana football.

  • Otto Addo remains Black Stars’ coach – GFA decide

    Otto Addo remains Black Stars’ coach – GFA decide

    The Executive Council of the Ghana Football Association (GFA) has allegedly decided the fate of the head coach of the Black Stars despite his oversight of the team’s lacklustre performances.

    Earlier reports suggested that, despite calls for the coach’s dismissal, about ten of the twelve members of the executive committee voted against his sack, with only two demanding the termination of his contract.

    After a meeting to decide on his future with the national team, it is reported that the GFA has decided to maintain the former Dortmund manager.

    Ghanasoccernet.com reports that the Ghana Football Association (GFA) is keen on retaining Otto Addo as head coach for the Black Stars during the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, set to continue in March 2024.

    The Black Stars’ last game in the 2025 AFCON qualification campaign was against Niger on November 19, 2024. Unfortunately, Ghana lost the match 1-2, which confirmed their disqualification from the tournament. This loss, combined with previous results, meant that Ghana finished bottom of their group with no wins in six matches.

    It marks the first time in 20 years the Black Stars have not qualified for the AFCON.

    Despite widespread public backlash against his leadership, the GFA’s Executive Council remains firmly supportive, expressing confidence in Addo’s ability to transform the team’s performance and deliver positive results.

    High-profile personalities in Ghana and beyond expressed their disappointment and called for Otto Addo’s dismissal.

  • Ministry of Youth and Sports does not owe Otto Addo any salary- Sports Minister’s aid

    Ministry of Youth and Sports does not owe Otto Addo any salary- Sports Minister’s aid

    Jamaludeen A. Abdullah, the personal assistant to the Minister of Youth and Sports, Mustapha Ussif, has addressed recent rumours regarding the salary of Black Stars head coach Otto Addo, stating that the coach has been consistently paid on time.

    In an interview with GhanaWeb Sports, Abdullah emphasised that there are no outstanding payments and that Addo receives his salary regularly each month.

    He urged the public to disregard reports suggesting that Otto Addo and his technical staff are behind on salary payments, clarifying that such claims are unfounded.

    “As far as I’m concerned, the Ministry of Youth and Sports does not owe Otto Addo any salary.

    His salaries have been paid, and we don’t have any official complaints from him or the FA to the effect that he has not been paid,” Jamal clarified.

    This follows a claim made by Kessben FM, which suggested that Black Stars head coach Otto Addo and his entire technical team have not been paid for the past three months.

    The station also reported that the Ghana Football Association (GFA) is in discussions with the Ministry of Youth and Sports to clear the outstanding salaries and avoid further controversies.

    Meanwhile, Otto Addo’s future as head coach is now in doubt after the Black Stars failed to qualify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco. The team ended the qualifiers with three draws and three losses, without a single win across six matches.

    The GFA Executive Council has scheduled a meeting with Addo on November 27, 2024, to review his performance during the AFCON qualifiers and decide on his future.

  • Otto Addo, technical staff have not been paid for three months – Reports

    Otto Addo, technical staff have not been paid for three months – Reports

    Black Stars head coach Otto Addo and his technical team have reportedly gone three months without receiving their salaries, according to Kessben FM.

    The Ghana Football Association (GFA) is said to be working with the Ministry of Youth and Sports to resolve the issue and avoid further complications.

    However, no explanation has been given for the delay, which comes during a challenging period for the national team.

    The news has sparked public reaction, particularly in light of the criticism Otto Addo faced following Ghana’s failure to qualify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco.

    Ghana finished at the bottom of Group F with only three points, recording three losses and three draws in their six matches.

    Angola and Sudan secured qualification from the group, leaving Ghana and Niger out of the tournament. This marks the first time in over two decades that the Black Stars have missed out on the AFCON.

    In response to the team’s poor performance, the GFA has summoned Otto Addo to meet with its Executive Council on November 27, 2024.

    The meeting will focus on evaluating his report on the qualifiers and discussing his future as head coach of the national team.

  • Otto Addo’s fate hangs in the balance, to be decided on Nov 27

    Otto Addo’s fate hangs in the balance, to be decided on Nov 27

    The future of Otto Addo as head coach of the Black Stars remains uncertain, as the Ghana Football Association (GFA) Executive Council deferred a final decision during their meeting on Wednesday.

    The council has scheduled another session for November 27, where Addo is expected to present his technical report to defend his tenure.

    This development follows Ghana’s failure to qualify for the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) for the first time in 21 years, a disappointing outcome that has sparked widespread discontent. Under Addo’s leadership, the Black Stars failed to win any of their six qualifying matches, losing three and drawing three, ultimately finishing at the bottom of Group F, which included Niger, Sudan, and Angola.

    Discussions among the GFA Executive Council were split, with one group pushing for the immediate dissolution of the technical team due to poor performance. The other faction advocated for Addo’s retention, citing financial challenges, including pending severance payments to former coaches CK Akonnor and Chris Hughton, as well as recent settlements made to Milovan Rajevac.

    The council, however, decided to postpone a conclusive decision and instructed Addo to present a comprehensive technical report at next week’s meeting. This report is expected to detail his strategies and justify his continued leadership, especially considering the autonomy he was granted to select key backroom staff.

    While Addo appointed most of his team, including masseurs and video analysts, the GFA named former Ghana right-back John Paintsil as his assistant coach and Fatawu Dauda as goalkeepers’ trainer.

    Proponents of Addo’s continuation argue that frequent managerial changes have negatively impacted the stability of Ghana’s football development. However, next week’s meeting could result in a reconstitution of the technical team, depending on the council’s final decision.

    The GFA initially planned to meet with Otto Addo on Wednesday evening after their discussions, but a late conclusion to the council meeting made this impractical.

  • People shouting and telling me to resign can’t affect me; I won’t! – Otto Addo

    People shouting and telling me to resign can’t affect me; I won’t! – Otto Addo

    Ghana’s head coach, Otto Addo, has made it clear that he has no intention of resigning after the Black Stars failed to secure a spot in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, a first since 2004.

    In the aftermath of Ghana’s 2-1 loss to Niger in their final Group F match, Addo addressed the difficulties his team encountered and reaffirmed his dedication to leading the squad, despite growing criticism.

    “I’m not the person who can resign. If I had done this, I’d never have become a player or even a coach,” he declared.

    “If you know where I have come from as a person to arrive at this job, you won’t even ask about my resignation.

    “People shouting and telling me to resign can’t affect me.”

    Addo acknowledged the team’s struggles with defending set pieces, a recurring issue that cost them dearly against Niger.

    “We started okay but conceded a goal from a set piece. We were aware because the last time we met, they scored from a corner. Surely, we have to defend these set pieces better,” he said. “It seems everything is going against us.”

    Despite the defeat, Addo noted some positives, particularly the performances of debutants who, in his view, justified their inclusion.

    “There are some positives, especially from players who hadn’t played before but did well today,” he added.

    He urged the media and fans to shift focus away from blame and instead support the players, who he said had given their all.

    “The media has the power to control the narratives of games, not only the results. You have the power to lift somebody up,” he stated. “I really need you to leave the players alone because they gave us everything.”

    In a surprising turn, Addo also used the platform to call for peaceful elections in Ghana, expressing hope for unity amidst the country’s political processes.

    “I would like to pray for peaceful elections. We have a peaceful country, so no matter the outcome, we pray for peace,” he said.

    While Addo admitted that a draw against Niger would not have changed Ghana’s elimination, he acknowledged the impact it could have had on morale.

    “Surely everyone is disappointed, and even if we had played a draw, it wouldn’t have changed anything. Yes, it would have improved the mood of the country and the energy levels of the players,” he admitted.

    The loss marked the end of a dismal campaign for Ghana, who ended up at the bottom of their group, failing to secure a single victory. This has led to growing doubts among fans and stakeholders about the future of the national team under Addo’s guidance.

  • Otto Addo names squad for Angola, Niger Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers

    Otto Addo names squad for Angola, Niger Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers

    Otto Addo has announced a 25-man squad for the upcoming 2025 Africa Cup of Nations Group F qualifiers against Angola and Niger.

    The squad features three home-based players who have impressed in the ongoing 2024/25 Ghana Premier League: Isaac Afful (FC Samartex 1996), Razak Simpson (Nations FC), and Emmanuel Antwi (Asante Kotoko) are the home-based players.

    Also in the squad is France-based Nathaniel Adjei who plays for Ligue 2 side FC Lorient. KAS Eupen goalkeeper Abdul Manaf Nurudeen, is returning to the team after over a year’s absence.

    To qualify for the Morocco 2025 tournament, Ghana must secure victories against Angola and Niger and hope Sudan drops points in their final matches.

    The Black Stars face Angola in Luanda on Friday, November 15, before hosting Niger at Accra Sports Stadium on Monday, November 18, 2024.

  • Video: Otoo Addo announces squad for Angola, Niger games; Partey missing

    Video: Otoo Addo announces squad for Angola, Niger games; Partey missing

    Black Stars head coach Otto Addo is set to announce his squad for the final two matches in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.

    Addo is expected to make significant adjustments to the lineup following disappointing performances in previous qualifying matches and recent injuries.

    Among the notable absences will be Mohammed Salisu, who suffered an injury in Ghana’s 2-0 loss to Sudan in October.

    With just two points from four games, Ghana faces the risk of missing out on the 2025 AFCON. The Black Stars have yet to secure a win in the qualifiers, recording two losses and two draws.

    To qualify, Ghana will need to win both of their remaining matches against Angola and Niger while hoping for Sudan to lose in their respective fixtures.

    The team will take on Angola in Luanda on November 15, followed by a home game against Niger on November 18 to conclude the qualifying series.

  • GFA engages German coach as Otto Addo’s role comes under scrutiny – Reports

    GFA engages German coach as Otto Addo’s role comes under scrutiny – Reports

    Ghana Football Association (GFA) is reportedly exploring the option of adding an experienced German coach to the Black Stars’ technical team, sparked by concerns about current head coach Otto Addo’s performance.

    Reports from Asempa FM claim that GFA President Kurt Okraku recently held discussions in Germany with a coach who could bring additional expertise to the national team setup.

    Although Otto Addo is expected to retain his position, the German coach would likely play a significant role on the backroom staff, lending his knowledge to guide the team forward.

    This potential change is speculated to reflect the GFA’s recognition of the Black Stars’ struggle in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers, where Ghana has yet to secure a win in four matches, currently sitting third in their group with two points.

    The GFA’s decision to bring on additional support suggests a shift in focus toward ensuring qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America, particularly if current performance levels persist.

    Although Addo remains in his position, his tenure may depend on Ghana’s ability to qualify for the tournament.

  • Ghana stands the chance of qualifying for the 2025 AFCON – Otto Addo insists

    Ghana stands the chance of qualifying for the 2025 AFCON – Otto Addo insists

    Black Stars coach Otto Addo remains hopeful about his team’s chances of qualifying for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), even in light of recent challenges.

    Ghana’s hopes of competing in Africa’s premier football tournament are currently in doubt following a disappointing defeat to Sudan.

    The team had already faced obstacles, having lost to Angola and drawn with Niger in their opening matches in Group F.

    With aspirations for victories against Sudan, the Black Stars could not achieve their goal, ending the first leg at Accra Sports Stadium in a goalless draw and subsequently losing 2-0 in the return leg in Libya.

    Now, with just two points from a possible 12, Ghana finds itself sitting in third place in the group.

    “Surely, we, as Ghana, should qualify for the AFCON.

    Yet, mathematically, there’s still a chance, and we will do everything that is in our hands to hold this chance alive,” he told the Ghana FA Media.

    To keep their qualification hopes intact, the Black Stars must win their next two matches in the AFCON qualifying series scheduled for November, while also relying on Sudan to drop points in their upcoming games.

  • Check out conversation between Kwasi Appiah’s aide and Otto Addo before Ghana’s 0-2 loss to Sudan

    Check out conversation between Kwasi Appiah’s aide and Otto Addo before Ghana’s 0-2 loss to Sudan

    Asante Forkuo, the personal assistant to Sudan’s head coach, James Kwasi Appiah, recently shared insights about a discussion between Appiah and Otto Addo following their goalless draw in the first match at the Accra Sports Stadium.

    Forkuo recounted that Otto Addo approached Appiah after the match to caution him about the upcoming game in Libya, warning that his team would capitalise on opportunities that the Black Stars had missed.

    In response, Appiah advised Addo not to take the match too personally, emphasising that both are Ghanaians and that it was merely a qualifying game.

    Forkuo pointed out that the overconfidence exhibited by both the coach and the Ghanaians contributed to the Black Stars’ defeat in the second leg in Libya.

    “Hypocrisy and overconfidence killed Ghana. After Sudan drew 0-0 with Ghana, most people, including Otto Addo, were confident Ghana would beat Sudan hands-down.

    “Otto Addo told Appiah personally, ‘You will not be lucky in Libya; I will beat you.’ Appiah replied, ‘We are all Ghanaians,’” Forkuo wrote on his X page on October 16, 2024.

    Despite the initial warning, Kwasi Appiah, who was underestimated before the game, tactically outmanoeuvred the Black Stars’ coach, leading his team to a 2-0 victory.

    After four matches, Ghana sits third in Group F with two points, and Sudan holds second place with seven points, and Angola leads the group with twelve points.

    The Black Stars will next travel to Angola for their upcoming match and conclude the qualifiers with a home game against Niger.

  • 2025 AFCON Qualifiers: Otto Addo “very sure” Ghana will win in clash with Sudan

    2025 AFCON Qualifiers: Otto Addo “very sure” Ghana will win in clash with Sudan

    Ghana’s national football coach, Otto Addo, expressed strong confidence in his team’s ability to overcome Sudan in their upcoming match for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.

    This clash is set to take place on Tuesday, October 15.

    The previous encounter between the two sides ended in a goalless draw last Thursday at the Accra Sports Stadium in Ghana. Ahead of this rematch, Coach Addo emphasized that he felt the Black Stars should have secured a win in that first game.

    With that in mind, he is now focused on achieving a positive result in the second meeting against Sudan.

    “It’s part of football; sometimes you’re lucky, sometimes you’re unlucky. It belongs to the game, but the probability is very high that you can’t be there three times in a row.

    “I’m sure that, like I said, if we show the same attitude towards this game, the same beliefs, we have to be mentally strong, then I’m very sure we will win this game. The last game gives me really big confidence that we can do it,” coach Otto Addo said.

    The Black Stars will take on Sudan in Libya on Tuesday, October 15, 2024, with the match set to kick off at 13:00 GMT.

    As pressure mounts, all eyes will be on Addo’s men to secure the much-needed three points and keep their AFCON dream alive.

  • 2025 AFCONQ: We deserved to win – Pained, disappointed Otto Addo after goalless draw with Sudan

    2025 AFCONQ: We deserved to win – Pained, disappointed Otto Addo after goalless draw with Sudan

    Ghana’s head coach, Otto Addo, has expressed his disappointment following the Black Stars’ goalless draw against Sudan in the qualifiers for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

    The match, held at the Accra Sports Stadium on Thursday, marked the first leg of their doubleheader qualifier against the Falcons.

    Although the Black Stars dominated possession and created several opportunities, they failed to convert any chances into goals, placing the four-time African champions in a difficult situation.

    During the post-match press conference, the 45-year-old coach openly shared his frustration regarding the team’s performance.

    “The chances were there today, but this is football,” he said.

    “This result even pains more than the results against Niger and Angola because I think we deserve to win but I am disappointed,” he added.

    Ghana’s next challenge will be against Libya in the return leg on Monday, October 14, at the Martyrs of February Stadium. A victory in this match is essential for enhancing their chances of qualifying for the tournament set to be held in Morocco.

    Currently, the Black Stars find themselves in third place in Group F, having accumulated only two points from three matches.

  • Video: Otto Addo checks Accra Sports Stadium’s pitch to confirm ‘good’ state

    Video: Otto Addo checks Accra Sports Stadium’s pitch to confirm ‘good’ state

    Black Stars coach Otto Addo was seen inspecting the condition of the pitch at the Accra Sports Stadium ahead of their upcoming match against Sudan on Thursday, October 10, 2024.

    The national team began training on Monday, October 7, and during the session, Otto Addo took time to examine the pitch to ensure its suitability for the game.

    In a video circulating online, Addo is seen testing the pitch with his foot before using his hand to further assess its quality.

    The condition of the stadium’s pitch has been a topic of concern, especially after the Confederation of African Football (CAF) banned Ghana from hosting matches due to the country’s sporting facilities not meeting CAF’s standards.

    In response, the Ministry of Youth and Sports, along with the National Sports Authority, worked swiftly to improve the stadium’s conditions.

    As a result, CAF has given conditional approval for the Accra Sports Stadium to host the match on October 10.

    The Black Stars commenced their training with eleven players present for the session.

  • Those who appointed Otto Addo wasted our money – Countryman Songo

    Those who appointed Otto Addo wasted our money – Countryman Songo

    Controversial media personality Patrick Osei Agyemang, popularly known as Countryman Songo, has criticised the choice of Otto Addo as the head coach of the Black Stars, alleging that the decision has led to a decline in the nation’s revenue.

    Songo did not specify the exact financial repercussions of Addo’s appointment but has called on Ghanaians to direct their frustrations over the team’s recent performance towards the committee responsible for hiring Addo.

    He argued that the committee deviated from their stated requirement of selecting a coach with 15 years of experience, opting instead for a less experienced ‘scout.’

    “All the persons who were involved in the selection of Otto Addo must go. They told us they needed someone with 15 years of experience, but they went for a trainer scout.

    They went for someone who is using the Black Stars to master coaching. It is a big financial loss to the state. The committee members must be dealt with.”

    Songo called for the head of Otto Addo and lashed out at the manager, labelling him as pompous.

    “Otto Addo is not the only person who should be sacked. The only thing Otto Addo knows is speaking big English and snubbing people.

    He pretends like he is a great coach who should not be criticised.

    He blamed the pitch at Baba Yara for the defeat but drew with Niger on a good pitch.”

    The Black Stars are now without a win in two games in the 2025 AFCON qualifiers, losing 1-0 to Angola in Kumasi before a 1-1 draw against Niger in Morocco.

    Angola leads the group with 6 points, followed by Sudan with 3, while Ghana and Niger are both tied with a point each at the bottom.

  • 2025 AFCON Qualifiers: Game with Sudan will be difficult – Black Stars’ Otto Addo admits

    2025 AFCON Qualifiers: Game with Sudan will be difficult – Black Stars’ Otto Addo admits

    Black Stars head coach Otto Addo has acknowledged the tough task ahead as his team prepares to face Sudan in their upcoming 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers.

    During his post-match interview after Ghana’s 1-1 draw with Niger on Monday, September 9, 2024, Addo emphasised the importance of the next two qualifying matches.

    He highlighted that victories in both games against Sudan are crucial for the Black Stars to keep their hopes alive for securing a spot in the next AFCON tournament in Morocco.

    “It will be difficult again. I knew from the start, it’s just some little margins, little details that can decide.

    This will be again, for us, a crucial match. We have to win; there is no way around it, and we have to win,” coach Otto Addo said.

    The Black Stars head coach continued, “If we want to have the chance to play better after, we have to win. We are under pressure, this is for sure, and we have to do better.”

    Following Monday’s draw against Niger, Ghana is now third on the Group F standings in the qualifiers for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.

  • I am disappointed in Niger’s draw – ‘Unsatisfied’ Otto Addo

    I am disappointed in Niger’s draw – ‘Unsatisfied’ Otto Addo

    Ghana head coach Otto Addo has voiced his frustration following the Black Stars’ disappointing 1-1 draw against Niger in Monday’s 2025 AFCON qualifiers.

    The result leaves Ghana in a challenging position as they fight to secure a spot in their 11th consecutive AFCON tournament.

    Speaking after the game, Addo did not hold back in expressing his dissatisfaction with his team’s performance, particularly their failure to capitalize on key moments and their defensive lapses, which allowed Niger to equalize late in the game.

    “Definitely not, I am not satisfied at all. I am really disappointed, to be honest,” Addo remarked. His frustration was evident, especially considering the preparation and tactical work put into defending set pieces, which ultimately let them down.

    “We talked, and we trained on set pieces… and the way they defended in the last 10 minutes was really, really bad,” he added.

    Addo acknowledged that the Black Stars had moments of control throughout the game but were undone by lapses in concentration, especially during counterattacks.

    “I think in general, we had the game under control. We allowed sometimes some counter situations where we didn’t close the gaps really well, and then we got the lead. I think from that point, things were easier.”

    Despite dominating much of the match, Ghana’s inability to convert numerous scoring chances was a key factor in their failure to secure all three points.

    “In the second half, we changed some positions and the buildup and also some restrictions to seize moments for our wingers. We had a different setup in the midfield, so it was good.”

    Addo noted that while they controlled the second half and created several chances, their inefficiency in front of goal was costly.

    “In the second half, we controlled them; we created a lot of chances, which we didn’t use. In the end, these kinds of games are like this.”

    The coach further highlighted the competitiveness of international football, acknowledging Niger’s strong counterattacking game.

    “There are no cheap teams, every team can play, and Niger also did well, especially in their counterattacks. But I am very, very disappointed with the way we allowed our goals.”

    With Ghana now sitting third in Group F, the Black Stars must quickly regroup and find their scoring form ahead of their crucial next match against Sudan. The team’s qualification hopes hang in the balance, and an improvement in both defense and attack is essential for their AFCON campaign.

  • Jerome, another to be absent for the Ghana-Niger match – Otto Addo confirms

    Jerome, another to be absent for the Ghana-Niger match – Otto Addo confirms

    Black Stars head coach Otto Addo has announced that two important players will miss their AFCON qualifier against Niger in Morocco.

    Jerome Opoku has been ruled out due to back pain and has travelled to Turkey for treatment, while Joseph Paintsil will also be unavailable because of unresolved paperwork issues.

    Speaking before the match, Addo expressed confidence in the remaining squad despite the absence of these key players.

    “Jerome had serious back problems. His body couldn’t adapt to the training ground in Kumasi, and it became so serious that he had to return to his club for special treatment,” Addo said.

    Joseph Paintsil has been ruled out of Ghana’s upcoming AFCON qualifier against Niger due to issues with his paperwork, preventing him from joining the squad in Morocco.

    Despite this setback, the Black Stars are determined to bounce back from their loss to Angola in the opening match and secure a win to revive their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations campaign.

    The match is set to take place at Stade Municipal de Berkane in Morocco, with kick-off scheduled for 16:00 GMT.

  • “A country like Ghana deserves a better pitch” – Angola coach jabs

    “A country like Ghana deserves a better pitch” – Angola coach jabs

    Angola’s head coach, Pedro Goncalves, expressed disappointment over the poor condition of the Baba Yara Sports Stadium pitch following his team’s 1-0 victory against Ghana in an AFCON 2025 qualifier.

    In a post-match interview, Goncalves emphasized that a nation like Ghana should offer better-quality facilities for its home matches, as the state of the field hindered the overall gameplay.

    Despite securing the win, Goncalves lamented the challenge posed by the inadequate playing surface, which made it difficult for both teams to perform at their best.

    “A country like Ghana deserves a better pitch,” the Angola national team head coach said after the game.

    Besides his concern with the bad condition of the Baba Yara Sports Stadium, coach Pedro Goncalves was full of praise for his players.

    He said the win is just what his side needs as they continue to grow as a national team.

    “We are improving a lot. It’s true. The last AFCON and the last COSAFA. Everybody feels that we are growing, but we are searching for this kind of win. The challenge for sure is that tomorrow we return to the ground to work,” Coach Pedro Goncalves said.

    In Round 2 of the qualifiers for the 2025 AFCON qualifiers, Ghana will take on Niger while Angola faces off with Sudan.