Black Stars team manager Ameenu Shardow has strongly defended Otto Addo’s coaching tenure, asserting that while Ghana’s results have been disappointing, the team’s performances reflect progress under his leadership.
Ghana’s failure to qualify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations ended a 20-year streak, but Shardow pointed to Addo’s ability to deliver unexpected victories, including a crucial win in Mali during the 2026 World Cup qualifiers. This, he said, demonstrated Addo’s capability to lead the team despite criticism of his inexperience.
“This same inexperienced person started very well, went to Mali when nobody expected us, and won there. His first games were against Nigeria and Uganda, and he didn’t win them—was that a new-boy syndrome?” Shardow asked, emphasizing Addo’s track record.
Shardow also called for a more nuanced evaluation of coaching, comparing Addo’s situation to that of Premier League managers like Arsenal’s Mikel Arteta, who were given time to develop their teams.
“You don’t go looking at results only. Leadership should consider performance as well,” he argued, adding that Ghana’s group-stage performances in the qualifiers should have placed them at the top of the group.
“If we are going to be honest and factual, Ghana was supposed to top the group if we’re only looking at the performance,” Shardow concluded, advocating for patience and trust in Addo’s vision for the Black Stars.
