Former Ghana international Augustine Ahinful has backed Black Stars head coach Otto Addo, insisting the 49-year-old should remain in charge despite growing calls for his dismissal.
Addo, who previously guided Ghana to the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, is on the verge of leading the Black Stars to a second consecutive World Cup.
Following a resounding 5-0 victory over the Central African Republic in Matchday 9 of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers on Wednesday, Ghana now need just a point to secure a spot in the tournament, set to be co-hosted by the USA, Canada, and Mexico.
The coach’s future, however, has become a point of public debate. Sports Minister Kofi Adams recently expressed reservations about Addo’s work and indicated that the government would make a determination on his tenure at the appropriate time.
Speaking on Asempa FM’s Ultimate Sports Show, Ahinful dismissed calls for Addo’s removal, highlighting the coach’s growth and experience.
“This is the second time he will be taking the Black Stars to the World Cup, and I believe that he has learned his lessons and wants to improve, so I wouldn’t say that he should be sacked.
“He has an experienced technical advisor like Winfried Schäfer who will give him good advise, and some of us have been speaking to him privately because Otto Addo is our colleague.”
He added that Addo benefits from the guidance of experienced technical advisor Winfried Schäfer and private counsel from former colleagues.
“In the game against Central African Republic, his substitutions were apt, so you could see that Otto Addo is improving and learning as a coach,” Ahinful noted.
Ghana will conclude their qualifying campaign with a home fixture against Comoros on Sunday, October 12, at the Accra Sports Stadium.
Having featured in the 2006, 2010, 2014, and 2022 World Cups in Germany, South Africa, Brazil, and Qatar respectively, the Black Stars are determined to make a fifth appearance on football’s biggest stage.
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