Ghanaian sports journalist and author Ekow Asmah has backed the decision to sack Black Stars head coach Otto Addo, insisting the former trainer “was not a good fit” and did not have the credentials for the role.
Speaking on JoyNews on Tuesday, March 31, Mr Asmah said the dismissal, though late, was necessary and should serve as a lesson for future appointments in Ghana football.
“It was long overdue. He was not a good fit. He didn’t even have the credentials to begin with,” he stated. “This is a lesson for the country. Henceforth, we should never hire anybody who doesn’t have the credentials for the position. Period.”
His comments come just hours after the Ghana Football Association (GFA) officially parted ways with Otto Addo on March 31, 2026, bringing an end to his second stint as head coach with just 72 days to Ghana’s opening match at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Linking his criticism to the timing of the decision, Mr Asmah rejected suggestions that it may be too late to make a coaching change, arguing that history shows otherwise.
“I’ll give you instances… even at the last AFCON, the coach was changed during the tournament in Ivory Coast and he won,” he said. “There’s plenty of time. Even if it’s two months, it’s better than keeping somebody whose quality is not up to par.”
He cited Ghana’s own experience ahead of the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations, when then-GFA President Kwesi Nyantakyi dismissed Kwesi Appiah just weeks before the tournament and appointed Avram Grant, who went on to lead the Black Stars to the final.
According to Mr Asmah, the current situation mirrors that precedent and justifies swift action rather than delay.
The GFA’s decision follows a disappointing run of results, including a heavy 5-1 defeat to Austria and a 2-1 loss to Germany during the March international break. The Association also pointed to the team’s failure to qualify for the 2025 AFCON and a lack of tactical progress as key reasons for terminating his contract.
During his tenure, Otto Addo managed 22 matches, recording eight wins, five draws, and nine losses a win rate of about 36 percent. Although he successfully guided Ghana through the World Cup qualifiers, recent performances raised concerns about the team’s readiness for the global tournament.
Mr Asmah also criticised the initial decision to retain Addo, suggesting that the Sports Minister, Kofi Iddie Adams, had long held reservations about the coach’s suitability.
“My immediate disappointment is the decision of the state to stick with Otto when, to begin with, the Sports Minister knew the coach was not good enough,” he claimed.
He, however, credited the Minister for playing a role in Ghana’s World Cup qualification push, noting that the introduction of experienced German coach Winfried Schäfer as a technical advisor helped stabilise the team.
“Ghana would not even have qualified for the World Cup but for Iddie Adams pushing the case and for Winfried Schäfer, who is even better qualified,” he added.
With the World Cup fast approaching and a crucial opening fixture against Panama scheduled for June 18, the GFA is now under pressure to quickly appoint a new head coach capable of turning around the team’s fortunes.
Mr Asmah warned against rushing into another appointment without proper scrutiny, urging authorities to prioritise competence and experience as Ghana prepares for the global stage.
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Source: www.myjoyonline.com