Former Ghana international Emmanuel Agyemang Badu has urged calm and unity around Black Stars head coach Otto Addo, insisting that the embattled tactician deserves more time as Ghana pursues a ticket to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Addo has been under the microscope in recent weeks, particularly after Ghana stumbled to a 1-1 draw against lowly Chad in N’Djamena during last month’s qualifiers. That result sparked a wave of backlash from fans, pundits, and even sections of government, with Sports Minister Kofi Adams publicly voicing concerns over the team’s stuttering form.
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But the coach responded with a crucial 1-0 home victory over Mali at the Accra Sports Stadium, a result that temporarily eased the tension but did little to erase doubts about consistency.
Badu, however, believes the criticism is premature. The 2009 U-20 World Cup winner stressed that Addo’s work cannot be judged solely on a few patchy results, urging stakeholders to back the coach until the end of the qualifying series.
“I’m not the one who appointed him, but every work each person is doing, they want to succeed. The coach, too, wants to succeed in his work with the Black Stars,” Badu told Asempa FM.
“I don’t think the stats show that he has done badly. There is more room for improvement. Let’s wait and play the two matches. There’s more time to deliberate on his future after,” he added.
The Black Stars are set for two decisive fixtures: a tricky away clash with the Central African Republic at the Stade d’Honneur de Meknes on October 8, followed by a high-stakes home tie against Comoros four days later.
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Otto Addo has already named a 24-man squad for the encounters as Ghana, sitting on top of Group I with 19 points, looks to seal qualification. The West Africans need just four points from the remaining two matches to book their fifth appearance at football’s biggest stage.
