GFA boss Kurt Okraku defends keeping Otto Addo despite AFCON setback

Ghana Football Association (GFA) President Kurt Okraku has defended the decision to retain Otto Addo as head coach of the Black Stars following the team’s failure to qualify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

Ghana missed out on the continental tournament in Morocco for the first time in over two decades, finishing bottom of their qualifying group after six matches.

The outcome triggered widespread criticism, with fans and sections of the media calling for Addo’s dismissal.

However, speaking to 3Sports, Okraku explained that both he and the GFA Executive Council were aligned in their belief that it was not necessary to part ways with the coach at the time.

“I never believed that I had to let the coach go at that time. And we never believed, as an ExCo, that we had to let the coach go at that time. And we stay with that position.”

The GFA president acknowledged the backlash that followed the team’s failure to qualify but noted that decisions in football are often shaped by internal considerations not always visible to the public.

“We’ve all done football at various levels, and sometimes there are auxiliary reasons why certain decisions have to be taken or not to be taken. Some of these reasons are not available to a lot of people.”

Despite the criticism, Okraku maintained that the decision to keep faith in Addo ultimately paid off, pointing to Ghana’s qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

“But I look back, and I’m happy that we took that decision. At the end, we qualified for the Mundial with the same gaffer, and I don’t regret it at all.”

Addo has since been relieved of his duties following a run of back-to-back defeats in international friendlies against Austria and Germany. The GFA is expected to name a new head coach within the next two weeks.