Former Ghana Football Association (GFA) Technical Director, Francis Oti Akenteng, has called for unity and support behind Black Stars head coach Otto Addo as Ghana prepares for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Despite leading Ghana to back-to-back World Cup qualifications — a historic first for any Black Stars coach — Addo has faced mounting criticism following the team’s failure to qualify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), ending a two-decade streak of appearances.

Speaking on The Arena on Woezor TV, Oti Akenteng, now Director of Football at Kenpong Academy, dismissed calls for Addo’s dismissal and urged stakeholders to rally behind the coach and his technical team.

“Otto Addo has qualified the team for the World Cup. Since the appointment of his technical advisor [Winfried Schäfer], he hasn’t lost a game. He may not have reached the level we all desire yet, but he deserves encouragement — not criticism,” Akenteng said.

He also praised assistant coach Desmond Ofei, who recently earned his UEFA Pro Licence, and emphasized the importance of continuity and trust in local talent.
“Let’s learn from Senegal. If we had supported Kwesi Appiah, he would have taken the team far. Sudan saw his value and now they’re reaping the benefits. Otto Addo is our coach — let’s support him and build on what he’s achieved.”

Addo’s leadership saw Ghana top Group I with 25 points, securing a spot at the 2026 World Cup in the USA, Canada, and Mexico. The Black Stars will discover their group-stage opponents on December 5.

As part of their preparations, Ghana will face Japan on Friday, November 14, followed by a friendly against South Korea on November 18 — key fixtures to test squad depth and tactical cohesion ahead of next summer’s global showpiece.