Ghana coach Otto Addo has firmly stated that he will not step down from his role as head coach of the Black Stars, despite failing to secure the team’s qualification for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
The Black Stars ended their AFCON qualifying campaign without a single win, finishing fourth in Group F with only three points. Their hopes were dashed on Monday following a 2-1 defeat to Niger at the Accra Sports Stadium.
Speaking after the match, Addo reflected on the team’s challenges and defended his decision to stay on despite mounting calls for his resignation.
“I’m not the person who can resign. If I had done this, I’d never have become a player or even a coach,” the 47-year-old declared.
“If you know where I have come from as a person to arrive at this job, you wouldn’t even ask about resignation.
“People shouting and telling me to resign can’t affect me.”
Addo admitted that the team’s inability to defend set pieces had been a critical weakness, including during the loss to Niger.
“We started okay but conceded a goal from a set piece. We were aware because the last time we met, they scored from a corner. Surely, we have to defend these set pieces better,” he said. “It seems everything is going against us.”
Despite the disappointment, Addo highlighted some bright spots, particularly the performances of debutants who, he believed, justified their selection.
“There are some positives, especially from players who hadn’t played before but did well today,” he added.
The coach also urged the media and fans to support the team, emphasizing the importance of uplifting the players rather than assigning blame.
“The media has the power to control the narratives of games, not only the results. You have the power to lift somebody up,” he stated. “I really need you to leave the players alone because they gave us everything.”
This marks the first time in 21 years that Ghana will miss the AFCON tournament.
Meanwhile, the Ghana Football Association (GFA) Executive Council is set to meet on Wednesday to deliberate on the team’s failure and determine the next steps.
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