By: Kwame Bediako
Ghana’s Minister for Sports and Recreation, Kofi Adams, has voiced his displeasure with the performance of Blacks Stars head coach, Otto Addo, highlighting that the Black Stars still have a long way to go to secure qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the USA, Mexico, and Canada.
Mr Kofi Adams’s comments come in the wake of the team’s recent mixed results in the World Cup qualification matches and their failure to qualify for the upcoming 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
Ghana’s national team drew 1-1 against Chad in N’Djamena before eking out a narrow victory over Mali at the Accra Sports Stadium. Despite the win against Mali following the disappointing draw with Chad, the Minister insisted the Black Stars’ overall performance was far from convincing.
He stressed that the team could not yet feel secure about qualification, noting the critical upcoming fixtures. Speaking on the Citi Breakfast Show, Kofi Adams remarked.
“Very soon, AFCON is going to start in Morocco. Are we going to be part of it? No, we will watch on TV. We have not even qualified for the World Cup yet. We still need a win and at least a draw to comfortably say that, as far as our group is concerned, nobody can overtake us.”
Kofi Adams also criticized coach Otto Addo’s handling of the team’s recent performances, claiming he was not impressed.
“If I tell you I am impressed, then it means I do not know my job. I am not. There is a lot of room for improvement. Even when you meet the coach himself, he admits that he got things wrong and takes responsibility. But the question is: for how long will you continue to take blame for wrong decisions?” Kofi Adams said, urging for better results in future matches.
Currently, Ghana tops Group I with 19 points after eight games, leading Madagascar (16), Comoros (15), Mali (12), Central Africa Republic (5), and Chad (1). The Black Stars will regroup in October for their final round of World Cup qualifiers, traveling to face Central African Republic before hosting Comoros at Accra Sports Stadium, with hopes to secure their place in the 2026 World Cup.
