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0 After months of uncertainty and speculation on Ghana head coach Otto Addo’s future, Black Stars Management Committee chairman, Dr. Randy Abbey, confirmed the retention of the 49-year-old on Wednesday, a decision which leaves 3Sports’ team divided.
“I think the GFA has taken the decision already. The GFA is keeping Otto Addo,” Randy told Original FM.
The news, as expected, caused murmurs and raised eyebrows for obvious reasons.
Per the statistics, Otto Addo’s Black Stars have been the worst since the turn of the millennium and, even to some extent, in Ghana’s history.
Ghana failed to qualify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) for the first time since 2004 and finished bottom of their AFCON qualifying group without recording a win – a first in their history.
The AFCON qualification failure highlighted Otto Addo’s inept tactical acumen since his second stint began in March.
Ghana won twice in 2024, a low for the country. However, both wins were recorded in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, a rare positive for Ghana, laying the foundation for 3Sports’ Akosua Adjei’s confident remark.
“Maybe just because he was able to qualify the team to the last World Cup, they know when it comes to the World Cup, he may not disappoint,” she said.
Maybe with the World Cup qualifiers so close, the GFA decided to stick to Otto because he has done it before – @Akosua__Adjei
Akosua will be one of our key faces breaking down the biggest stories and issues on Sports Daily, which starts on February 3rd on @tv3_ghana at 10:00… pic.twitter.com/dZkCliLGTl
— #3Sports (@3SportsGh) January 23, 2025
There’s been chop and change in the dugout for the Black Stars since 2019.
Otto Addo became the fourth permanent boss of the team when he was appointed in March 2024.
Mutala Yakubu, also of 3Sports, accentuated continuity as a key decision in the GFA’s decision-making process.
“For me, it is a good one because it will ensure continuity and we have about three months to the World Cup qualifiers. Bringing in a new head coach to the Black Stars will mean that ideas and tactical tweaks will have to be made.”
“Otto Addo knows the team inside out; he can actually get back to winning ways. And so let’s hope and see what happens.
Meanwhile, renowned journalist Owuraku Ampofo took no prisoners in his assessment of the situation, not mincing his words.
He described the situation as a “Faustian bargain” on the path of the GFA.
“In life, everyone deserves a second chance except Otto Addo. In fact, it is not even a second chance this is his third chance,” he remarked.
“What I believe is that the FA signed a deal with the devil and it looks as if no matter what happens he is not going to go away. If you do not qualify for an AFCON and you still keep your job, then I don’t see what else he can do for them to get rid of him. It looks as if the FA signed a deal with the devil and you and I have to endure.”
It seems no matter what happens Otto Addo won’t go away: @_owurakuampofo on the decision by the GFA to stick to the Black Stars boss despite the collosal AFCON qualification failure.
Owuraku will present our new program, Sports Daily, which begins on Feb 3 with insights into the… pic.twitter.com/JhUKyvT5as
— #3Sports (@3SportsGh) January 23, 2025
The decision to keep Otto was described by 3Sports’ online editor, Enoch Fiifi Forson, as “shocking” after the writings on the wall were glaring, and Otto had somewhat sacked himself with the performances.
“A shocking decision. For someone who has supervised our worst campaign for an AFCON, he should have been sacked after the game against Niger in Accra, because I see no reason in retaining him.”
“He is the head coach and must take the majority of the blame. People have been sacked for less but it seems Otto has goodwill and let’s see how it goes. But for me, it is a shocking decision that makes absolutely no sense,” he opined
The decision to retain Otto Addo is a shocking decision because nothing justifies it: Online Sports editor @Efson_
Fiifi will be one of our key faces breaking down the biggest stories and issues on Sports Daily, which starts on February 3rd on @tv3_ghana at 10am on weekdays.… pic.twitter.com/QUOyR1Htus
— #3Sports (@3SportsGh) January 23, 2025
The Black Stars return to action in March to take on Chad in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.
The post Otto Addo stays: Managerial retention splits 3Sports team first appeared on 3News.
