Otto Addo did a good job as Black Stars coach - Winfried Schafer

Former Ghana technical advisor Winfried Schafer has defended Otto Addo following his dismissal, insisting the ex-Black Stars coach delivered a strong overall performance despite recent setbacks.

Addo, who previously left his role after the 2022 FIFA World Cup, was reappointed in March 2024 on a three-year contract.

However, his second spell quickly came under pressure after Ghana failed to qualify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.

He later steadied the team by securing qualification for the 2026 World Cup, but a string of underwhelming friendly results in the build-up to the tournament proved costly.

Back-to-back defeats to Austria and Germany ultimately led to his dismissal.

Schafer, who joined the Black Stars’ technical setup in 2025, expressed sympathy for the former Borussia Dortmund coach and praised his contribution to Ghana’s World Cup qualification campaign.

"Otto did a very good job," Schafer told Transfermarkt.

"It's extremely bitter, of course, that he then missed the World Cup, which he played a leading role in planning.

"That really hurts, and I still feel very sorry for him," Schafer admitted.

The German tactician also argued that Ghana’s performance against Germany was not as poor as the result suggested, adding that a single defeat should not define Addo’s tenure.

"The team's performance in the match against Germany was by no means bad. The Austria game was probably a turning point."

Addo has since been replaced by experienced Portuguese coach Carlos Queiroz on a short-term deal as Ghana prepares for the 2026 World Cup.