Former Ghana League Clubs Association (GHALCA) chairman Kudjoe Fianoo has urged Black Stars head coach Otto Addo to make the right player selections to ensure Ghana qualifies for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
His remarks come in the wake of Ghana’s disappointing failure to qualify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), marking the first time in 20 years that the four-time African champions will miss the continental tournament. The Black Stars finished at the bottom of their qualifying group with just three points, failing to win any of their six matches.
Following the team’s poor showing, many fans and stakeholders called for Addo’s dismissal. However, the Ghana Football Association (GFA) has decided to retain the 49-year-old, who signed a three-year contract in March 2024 with an option for an additional two years. The GFA has also reinforced the team’s technical staff ahead of the World Cup qualifiers.
Speaking in an interview with Asempa FM, Fianoo questioned the decision to keep Addo as head coach and stressed that selecting committed and capable players is crucial for the team’s success.
“We must qualify for the World Cup, but the coach must select the right players who will compete for the country because we all want to be at the tournament,” he said.
Reflecting on Ghana’s recent struggles, Fianoo pointed to ongoing concerns regarding the team’s composition.
“Our challenges started in Cameroon, and the big question has always been—do we have a coaching problem or a player problem? We have seen changes after every tournament, so retaining Otto Addo after failing to qualify for AFCON is surprising to me. However, I believe the right players should be selected for every game. Players who are ready to fight for the team must be invited, and that must be the way forward,” he added.
The Black Stars will resume their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification campaign later this month, with two crucial matches. Ghana will host Chad at the Accra Sports Stadium on March 21 before traveling to Morocco to face Madagascar on March 24, 2025.
