Under-fire Black Stars coach Otto Addo has dismissed calls for his resignation following Ghana’s failure to qualify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), marking the nation's first absence from the tournament since 2004.
Speaking after Ghana’s 2-1 defeat to Niger in their final Group F match, Addo defended his commitment to the team and reflected on the challenges they faced during the campaign.
“I’m not the person who can resign. If I had done this, I’d never have become a player or even a coach,” Addo stated defiantly. “If you know where I have come from to arrive at this job, you wouldn't even ask about resignation. People shouting and telling me to resign can't affect me.”
Addo acknowledged the team’s recurring struggles with defending set pieces, an issue that cost them against Niger.
“We started okay but conceded a goal from a set piece. We were aware because the last time we met, they scored from a corner. Surely, we have to defend these set pieces better,” he said. “It seems everything is going against us.”
Despite the campaign’s failure, Addo highlighted encouraging performances from some debutants, emphasizing their potential for the team’s future.
“There are some positives, especially from players who hadn’t played before but did well today,” he noted.
He also urged the media and fans to shift focus from criticism to supporting the players, whom he praised for their effort.
“The media has the power to control the narratives of games, not only the results. You have the power to lift somebody up,” Addo said. “I really need you to leave the players alone because they gave us everything.”
In a surprising addition to his post-match remarks, Addo called for peaceful elections in Ghana, emphasizing the importance of national unity.
“I would like to pray for peaceful elections. We have a peaceful country, so no matter the outcome, we pray for peace,” he said.
Ghana’s defeat to Niger capped a disastrous AFCON qualifying campaign, with the Black Stars finishing bottom of Group F without a single win. While Addo admitted that even a draw against Niger wouldn’t have saved their campaign, he acknowledged the morale boost it could have provided.
“Surely, everyone is disappointed, and even if we had played a draw, it wouldn’t have changed anything. Yes, it would have improved the mood of the country and the energy levels of the players,” he admitted.
The failure has left fans and stakeholders questioning the direction of the national team under Addo’s leadership, with calls growing for a reassessment of Ghana’s footballing structure and strategy.
