By Kwame Bediako
Ghana Football Association President Kurt Okraku has defended the controversial decision to retain Otto Addo as head coach of the Ghana national football team despite their failure to qualify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
Ghana’s shocking exit, their first absence from the tournament in over two decades, came after a disappointing campaign that saw them finish bottom of their group without a single win.
The outcome sparked widespread criticism from fans and media, many of whom demanded immediate changes on the bench.
Amid the growing pressure, Okraku revealed that both he and the GFA Executive Council were united in their decision to keep faith with Addo.
Speaking to 3Sports, Okraku revealed that both he and the GFA Executive Council were united in their decision to keep faith with Otto Addo. “I never believed that I had to let the coach go at that time. And we never believed, as an ExCo, that we had to let the coach go at that time. And we stay with that position,” he said, stressing that some decisions in football involve “auxiliary reasons” not visible to the public.
The failure to qualify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations was widely viewed as a major setback for Ghanaian football, a stark fall from grace for one of Africa’s traditional powerhouses. It served as a wake-up call for the GFA, as the team struggled through six winless matches.
Despite the backlash, the association chose continuity over change, placing its trust in Addo’s ability to steady the ship and guide the team toward future success.
That faith appeared to pay off when Ghana secured qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Okraku pointed to this achievement as validation of the GFA’s earlier stance, expressing satisfaction with the outcome.
He maintained that the decision to stick with Addo ultimately yielded results, emphasizing that the World Cup ticket was a significant milestone under the same technical leadership.
However, the relationship came to an abrupt end following a string of disappointing friendly results against Austria and Germany in March 2026. Despite delivering World Cup qualification, Addo was relieved of his duties, with the GFA stating that he had been given sufficient time and opportunity
