Black Stars failure to qualify for 2025 AFCON is beyond Otto Addo - Abdul Salam Yakubu

Outspoken football administrator Abdul Salam Yakubu has absolved Otto Addo of blame for the Black Stars’ failure to qualify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

Ghana endured a disappointing qualification campaign, finishing bottom of Group F with three defeats and three draws from six matches.

As a result, the Black Stars will miss the AFCON tournament for the first time in 20 years, with the competition set to take place in Morocco later this year.

While many have criticized Otto Addo for the team’s underwhelming performance, Abdul Salam Yakubu, president of New Edubiase, believes the blame lies elsewhere.

According to him, the leadership of the Ghana Football Association (GFA) is responsible for the team’s failure to secure qualification.

“To me, Pep Guardiola is the best coach in the world but he cannot handle the Black Stars. Otto Addo has done nothing wrong as coach of the national team. For our coach to celebrate an equalizing goal tells you our football has collapsed,” he told Kumasi-based Kessben FM.

He argued that the quality of players like Antoine Semenyo, Inaki Williams, and Mohammed Kudus should have been enough to ensure success, regardless of the coach.

“Semenyo, Inaki, Kudus and others are mature players. Otto Addo has nothing to teach them. Anyone can coach the Black Stars. Otto Addo can’t be blamed for Black Stars AFCON qualification failure.

"We didn’t qualify because of evil leaders. They’ve really hurt people within the football fraternity. Their evil deeds are paying off,” he added.

Looking ahead, the Black Stars will shift their focus to the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, resuming in March with matches against Chad and Madagascar.