Former Ghana international Augustine Ahinful has called on the Ghana Football Association (GFA) to maintain confidence in Black Stars head coach Otto Addo, despite growing public criticism of the 49-year-old.
Addo, who guided Ghana to the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, is now on the verge of securing a second consecutive qualification. The Black Stars thrashed the Central African Republic 5–0 on Wednesday in Matchday 9 of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, moving within a point of sealing their ticket to the tournament in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
Despite the emphatic win, debate over Addo’s future has intensified, with Sports Minister Kofi Adams suggesting that government may review the coach’s position after the qualifiers.
But Ahinful, speaking to Asempa FM, dismissed such talks, stressing that Addo deserves to stay on given his evident growth and results.
“This is the second time he will be taking the Black Stars to the World Cup, and I believe he has learned his lessons and wants to improve, so I wouldn’t say he should be sacked,” Ahinful said.
He further highlighted the positive impact of Addo’s technical advisor, Winfried Schäfer, and revealed that several ex-players, including himself, privately advise the coach.
“He has an experienced technical advisor like Winfried Schäfer who will give him good advice, and some of us have been speaking to him privately because Otto Addo is our colleague,” he added.
Ahinful also praised Addo’s tactical decisions in the recent qualifier, particularly his substitutions, as signs of a maturing coach.
Ghana will conclude their qualifying campaign with a decisive home clash against Comoros on Sunday, October 12, at the Accra Sports Stadium. The Black Stars are aiming for their fifth World Cup appearance after featuring in 2006, 2010, 2014, and 2022.
