Former Vice President of the Ghana Football Association (GFA), George Afriyie, has expressed strong confidence in Black Stars head coach Otto Addo, insisting the 50-year-old tactician has learned from past experiences and will not repeat previous mistakes at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Ghana are set to make their fifth appearance at football’s biggest tournament and have been drawn in Group L alongside Panama, England, and Croatia. The expanded competition will be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
Despite successfully guiding the Black Stars to qualification, Otto Addo has faced intense scrutiny from sections of the Ghanaian football public, with calls for his dismissal largely centered on concerns over his experience at the highest level. However, Afriyie believes the former Borussia Dortmund talent coach has grown significantly since his first stint at the World Cup.
“Otto Addo is now a mature coach, and I don’t think he will make mistakes at the World Cup,” Afriyie said in an interview with Asempa FM.
“He has learned from past experiences and understands what is required at that level.”
Ghana will begin their World Cup campaign against Panama on June 17 in Toronto, before taking on England in Boston, and concluding their group-stage fixtures against Croatia on June 27 in Philadelphia.
After overseeing the Black Stars’ group-stage exit at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, Otto Addo will be eager to redeem himself and lead Ghana to a stronger showing in 2026. With added experience, deeper preparation, and renewed belief from key stakeholders, there is growing optimism that the Black Stars can rise to the occasion on the global stage.
