GFA President confirms Otto Addo will be retained as Black Stars coach for 2026 World Cup
GFA President Kurt Edwin Simeon-Okraku has confirmed that Otto Addo will remain head coach of the Black Stars, insisting that the 50-year-old tactician is not being replaced anytime soon.
Speaking to Asempa FM at a recent media engagement, Okraku addressed calls for Addo’s dismissal following Ghana’s failure to qualify for AFCON 2025, but emphasized that the coach had redeemed himself by guiding the team to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
“For me, I was totally surprised. I kept asking myself, ‘Ghana, what’s wrong with us?’ How did this conversation
Okraku drew inspiration from Jose Mourinho, quoting the legendary manager’s view that trophies matter more than aesthetics.
“Go into the Guinness Book of Records and see whether it contains names of coaches and clubs that played beautiful football or those who actually won trophies.”
Following Ghana’s AFCON setback, Okraku said the GFA undertook extensive consultations with stakeholders — including the technical team, management committee, and players — before deciding to retain Addo and strengthen the setup.
“We re-energised the technical setup, travelled across the world to meet players and staff, and made the necessary adjustments.”
“Otto qualified Ghana in a grand style to the upcoming World Cup and Otto will lead Ghana as a proud Ghanaian to the World Cup,” Kurt told Asempa FM.
“Otto has a contract with the FA and we will respect the contract. He is not perfect, and no coach is perfect, neither is Kurt Okraku perfect. For me, he’s delivered what we asked of him, [and] he has done it in a grand style.
The result? Addo returned to lead Ghana in eight matches, winning seven and drawing one — a record Okraku believes validates the decision.
“For people to all of a sudden talk about the future of a coach that has qualified you to the Mundial, we are kidding in this country.”
With Ghana now qualified for the World Cup in USA, Canada, and Mexico, the focus shifts to preparations, including friendlies against Japan and South Korea next month and the group-stage draw on December 5.
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