Five Key Takeaways from Otto Addo's Report to the GFA on AFCON Qualifiers

Black Stars head coach Otto Addo has submitted a detailed report to the Executive Council of the Ghana Football Association (GFA) after overseeing a disappointing qualifying campaign for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). The report highlights several key factors that contributed to the team’s underperformance, providing insight into the challenges faced during the qualifiers and offering solutions to improve the team’s future prospects.

One of the major points in Addo’s report is his acknowledgment of the impact that injuries to key players had on the team’s overall performance. Several crucial players were sidelined during the qualifiers, which disrupted the team’s cohesion and hindered their ability to field a consistent starting lineup. Addo emphasized that the absence of these players affected the Black Stars’ ability to play at their usual high level, and he believes that a fully fit squad could have made a significant difference in the final outcomes.

Another key element Addo addressed in his report was the decision to appoint Mohammed Kudus as captain, a move that led to tension and disunity within the camp. Addo took full responsibility for the decision, acknowledging that it created some challenges within the team dynamic. The decision, which was made in the hope of strengthening the leadership structure, instead caused divisions among the players. Addo expressed regret over the unintended consequences and admitted that the situation negatively impacted team morale, something he plans to address going forward.

Additionally, Addo highlighted a significant disparity between the team’s performances and their results, particularly in home matches. Despite putting in solid performances in some games, the Black Stars failed to secure the results expected, especially when playing on home soil. This inconsistency was one of the key reasons behind the disappointing campaign, and Addo stressed the importance of improving performance in front of home fans to regain public confidence and achieve success in future competitions.

Addo also touched upon the team’s preparation leading up to the qualifiers. He explained that one of the challenges the Black Stars faced was the late arrival of several key players. This delay in assembling the full squad affected the team’s ability to properly prepare for the matches, disrupting training schedules and limiting the time available to build team chemistry. Addo emphasized that a more timely and organized preparation would have helped the team perform better during the qualifiers.

In his report, Addo also made a request for additional support staff to strengthen his backroom team. He highlighted that having more resources and personnel would improve the overall operation of the team, from training sessions to tactical planning. Addo believes that with the right support, he can help the Black Stars reach their full potential and achieve better results in future competitions, including the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.

The GFA’s Executive Council reviewed the report on Wednesday, November 27, 2024, and expressed confidence in Otto Addo’s ability to lead the Black Stars forward. Despite the challenges faced during the AFCON qualifiers, the council believes that Addo is the right man to guide the team through the upcoming World Cup qualifiers and restore the team’s competitiveness on the international stage.

Below are the five key points from Otto Addo’s report, as summarized by 3Sports:

Injuries of Key Players Affected Performance: Addo acknowledged that the absence of several key players during the qualifiers had a significant impact on the team’s results, disrupting the squad’s overall balance and cohesion.
Took Responsibility for the Disunity Caused by Kudus’ Captaincy: Addo admitted that appointing Mohammed Kudus as captain led to disunity within the team, a situation he takes full responsibility for and plans to address moving forward.
Team Performance Did Not Match the Results, Especially in Home Games: Addo pointed out that despite strong performances in some matches, the team failed to secure the expected results, particularly when playing at home, leading to underwhelming outcomes in the qualifiers.
Late Arrival of Players Affected Preparation: Addo noted that the delayed arrival of key players before the qualifiers hindered the team’s preparation, leaving insufficient time for building chemistry and focusing on tactical training.
Requested Additional Backroom Staff: In order to improve the team’s operation, Addo requested more support staff, believing that additional personnel would enhance preparation, training, and overall team performance.

Otto Addo’s report to the GFA provides a candid and thorough assessment of the Black Stars’ AFCON qualifiers, highlighting the areas where the team struggled and proposing solutions to help them improve in the future. The GFA’s decision to maintain confidence in Addo underscores their belief in his leadership and ability to guide the Black Stars through the 2026 World Cup qualifiers and beyond.