Ghana captain Andre Ayew has suggested that the decision to part ways with Black Stars head coach Otto Addo should have been taken much earlier, rather than coming so close to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
“When it comes to Otto Addo, it was a call that should have been made long before,” Ayew said.
His comments have reignited discussions about the timing of Otto Addo’s departure and whether the Black Stars could have benefited from a coaching change earlier in the World Cup preparation period.
Otto Addo returned to the Black Stars coaching role with the responsibility of rebuilding the national team and guiding Ghana through a new competitive cycle. However, the team’s performances and results continued to attract criticism, with questions raised over tactical decisions, consistency and the overall direction of the squad.
For Ayew, the issue was not necessarily the decision itself, but the timing. His remarks suggest that if the authorities had already reached the conclusion that a change in leadership was necessary, the move should have been made well before the tournament.
“When it comes to Otto Addo, it was a call that should have been made long before,” Ayew reiterated.
With the World Cup approaching, a late coaching change can create uncertainty within a national team, particularly when players have limited time to adapt to a new coach’s tactical philosophy, formation, methods and expectations.
Ayew’s comments therefore raise an important question about Ghana’s preparation: whether the Black Stars would have entered the tournament in a stronger position if the coaching situation had been resolved earlier.
The veteran forward, who has been a key figure in Ghana’s national team setup for years, has experienced several coaching changes during his international career. His latest assessment adds weight to the debate over how decisions concerning the Black Stars should be handled, especially when major tournaments are on the horizon.
For Ghana, the focus now shifts from the decision itself to the lessons that can be learned from it. With the World Cup representing one of the biggest stages in international football, stability, preparation and clarity in the technical team remain crucial.
Ayew’s blunt assessment is clear: in his view, the decision concerning Otto Addo came later than it should have.
“When it comes to Otto Addo, it was a call that should have been made long before.”
