Former Black Stars coach Charles Akonnor has expressed sympathy for current coach Otto Addo, acknowledging the challenging period he faced during the 2025 AFCON qualifiers.
Ghana’s poor performance in the qualifiers, finishing bottom of their group with just three points, sparked widespread criticism and calls for Addo’s dismissal.
Akonnor, who has experienced similar pressure as a national team manager, defended Addo, praising him for regaining his composure and confidence after a strong start in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.
“Otto Addo went through some difficult moments, but clearly you can see that he is now very calm, his body language has changed,” Akonnor told Citi Sports.
The Black Stars bounced back impressively after the AFCON setback, ending a six-game winless streak with consecutive victories over Chad and Madagascar in the World Cup qualifiers. A
konnor’s comments suggest that Addo has learned from the AFCON experience and is now leading the team with renewed confidence.
The team will reconvene in September for Matchdays 7 and 8, facing Chad and Mali as they continue their World Cup campaign.
