Black Stars coach Otto Addo has rejected calls for his resignation after failing to secure qualification slot for Ghana at the Morocco 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), marking the African giant’s first absence from the tournament since 2004.
Speaking after his team’s 2-1 defeat to Niger in their final Group F match, Otto Addo defended his commitment to the team and reflected on the challenges they faced during the campaign.
“I’m not the person who can resign. If I had done this, I’d never have become a player or even a coach,” Addo stated defiantly. “If you know where I have come from to arrive at this job, you wouldn’t even ask about resignation. People shouting and telling me to resign can’t affect me.”
He, however, acknowledged the team’s recurring struggles with defending set pieces, an issue that cost them against 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.”
“There are some positives, especially from players who hadn’t played before but did well today,” he noted.
He also urged the media and fans to shift focus from criticism to supporting the players, whom he praised for their effort.
“The media has the power to control the narratives of games, not only the results. You have the power to lift somebody up,” Addo said. “I really need you to leave the players alone because they gave us everything.”
Meanwhile, Otto Addo has called for peaceful elections in Ghana, emphasizing the importance of national unity.
“I would like to pray for peaceful elections. We have a peaceful country, so no matter the outcome, we pray for peace,” he said.
The Black Stars finished bottom of Group F without a single win. While Addo admitted that even a draw against Niger wouldn’t have saved their campaign, he acknowledged the morale boost it could have provided.
“Surely, everyone is disappointed, and even if we had played a draw, it wouldn’t have changed anything. Yes, it would have improved the mood of the country and the energy levels of the players,” he admitted.
