Former Sports Minister, Edwin Nii Lante Vanderpuye, has urged Ghanaians to rally behind Black Stars head coach Otto Addo, commending his performance in the ongoing 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
The 49-year-old tactician is on the brink of securing Ghana’s place at next year’s World Cup after leading the team to an emphatic victory over the Central African Republic in their Matchday 9 encounter on Wednesday, October 8.
A single point from their final qualifier against Comoros on Sunday will guarantee the Black Stars’ qualification.
While Addo has earned praise for the team’s recent resurgence, questions continue to linger over his long-term future due to the Black Stars’ inconsistent form in previous matches.
Speaking to Citi News, Vanderpuye advised against dismissing the coach, instead urging the Ghana Football Association (GFA) to bolster the technical setup with more experienced figures who can support Addo’s growth and decision-making.
“With the team he has, he is quite inexperienced and immature for them. I will not hide that. We need someone with vast experience to come in as a technical advisor to guide us as we go into the World Cup,” he said.
“But changing him is not something I will recommend at this time—it will be too expensive and also risky,” Vanderpuye added.
If Addo secures qualification, he will make history as the first coach—local or foreign—to guide Ghana to two FIFA World Cups, having previously led the team to the Qatar 2022 tournament.
The Black Stars will host Comoros in their final qualifier on Sunday, October 12, at the Accra Sports Stadium, with kick-off set for 19:00 GMT.
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