Andre Ayew: Otto Addo should have been sacked after AFCON failure

Former Ghana captain Andre Ayew believes Otto Addo should have been sacked after the Black Stars failed to qualify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

The senior national team endured a disappointing qualifying campaign, finishing bottom of their group after six matches without a win, recording three defeats and three draws.

Despite the failure, Addo was retained and given the backing of the Ghana Football Association (GFA).

He subsequently guided the Black Stars to qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup before being dismissed less than three months before the tournament in North America.

Speaking on the Obi One Podcast, hosted by former Chelsea midfielder John Mikel Obi, Ayew said Addo's departure should have come much earlier.

“I think that should have happened long before. I think when you're Ghana and not qualified for AFCON, you can't call it better. That's my conjecture,” Ayew said.

The former West Ham and Marseille forward acknowledged that Addo eventually secured World Cup qualification but questioned the decision to keep him in charge following the AFCON setback.

“I know him. We played, not really in a game together, but I played under him when he was an assistant, as a coach, etc. But after that he was able to qualify us for the World Cup,” he said.

Ayew said Ghana subsequently endured a difficult run of results after securing their place at the World Cup.

“So then, the bad thing is, then we had about five or six really matches just after and then we fell,” he added.

The 36-year-old stressed that the Black Stars represent the entire country and that everyone involved must work towards the same goal.

“The Black Stars are for the whole country, and we want to win. But there's a process to win,” Ayew said.

While acknowledging Addo's contribution in securing World Cup qualification, Ayew maintained that the timing of his departure highlighted the difficulties created by retaining him after the AFCON failure.

Addo's second spell as Ghana coach ended after the Black Stars had qualified for the 2026 World Cup.

Ayew, who won the FIFA U-20 World Cup with Ghana in 2009, last played for the Black Stars at the 2023 AFCON in Ivory Coast.