Otto Addo was appointed through a backdoor - Kudjoe Fianoo blasts GFA

Former Black Stars management committee member Kudjoe Fianoo has criticised the Ghana Football Association for what he describes as a disregard for due process in the reappointment of Otto Addo.

Addo, 50, was handed a 34-month contract on March 15, 2024, returning to lead the national team following the dismissal of Chris Hughton. Hughton was relieved of his duties after Ghana’s group-stage exit at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.

While Addo guided the Black Stars to qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, his tenure was marked by inconsistency. In 22 matches, he recorded eight wins, five draws, and nine defeats. The team also struggled in recent friendlies, suffering consecutive losses to Japan, South Korea, Austria, and Germany.

His spell came to an end after defeats to Austria and Germany during the March international window, prompting the GFA to part ways with the coach.

Speaking to Kessben Sports, Fianoo questioned the transparency of the appointment process, alleging that the association failed to adhere to its own standards.

“If you look at how Otto got the Black Stars job, it even got to a point where he didn’t want the job again. We brought out a criteria to pick a new coach, and Otto Addo was appointed through a backdoor, which shows those running the football don’t have Ghanaians at heart," he said.

Fianoo further argued that the GFA missed an earlier opportunity to act when the team failed to secure qualification for the AFCON.

"An opportunity came to fire him when he failed to qualify the team for the AFCON, but we played around," Fianoo added.

The GFA is expected to name a new head coach in the coming days, ahead of a training camp in May. The Black Stars will face Mexico in a friendly before taking on Wales on June 2 as part of preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Ghana will open their World Cup campaign against Panama on June 17, followed by fixtures against England on June 23 and Croatia on June 27. The four-time African champions will be aiming for a stronger showing after group-stage exits in both 2014 and 2022.