THE Ghana Football Association has parted ways with senior national team head coach Otto Addo just over two months before the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Addo’s sacking was announced in the early hours of today, hours after their fifth straight friendly defeat, a 2-1 loss to Germany.
Five-time Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) winners Ghana also failed to qualify for the 2025 edition of the continental showpiece under Addo’s guidance.
Reports from Ghana claimed the country’s FA felt the 50-year-old Addo had lost control of the Black Stars dressing room and could no longer lead the squad effectively.
It was Addo who helped Ghana qualify for the 2026 World Cup but recent results have been underwhelming, although last night’s performance was an improvement on the 5-1 defeat to Austria last week.
Deniz Undav came off the bench to score a late winner in Stuttgart as Germany edged out Ghana in last night’s friendly.
Forward Undav was among three half-time substitutions made by Germany manager Julian Nagelsmann and pounced on a knockdown by Leroy Sane to poke past Ghana goalkeeper Benjamin Asare in the 88th minute.
Arsenal forward Kai Havertz fired Germany in front from the penalty spot towards the end of the first half, but drew level through Leicester City winger Abdul Fatawu in the 70th minute before Undav’s late winner denied the Black Stars.
Addo has had two spells as Black Stars head coach, first leading the team to qualify for the 2022 World Cup after initially starting out as interim boss.
The former Borussia Dortmund star became the first Ghanaian to play for and coach the Ghana national team at the FIFA World Cup at Qatar 2022, but he will not be in charge this time after returning as head coach in 2024.
Ghana will be facing England, Croatia and Panama in Group L of the 2026 World Cup, which will be held in the United States of America, Mexico and Canada in June and July.
