Former National Sports Authority (NSA) Board Chairman, Kwadwo Baah Agyemang, has questioned Otto Addo’s ability to steer Ghana successfully at the World Cup, even as he lauded the coach’s transformation during the qualification campaign.
Agyemang’s remarks came in the aftermath of Ghana’s emphatic 5-0 thrashing of the Central African Republic — a result that left the Black Stars on the cusp of another World Cup appearance, needing just a single point from their final qualifier.
“Otto Addo has shamed me. He has changed a lot since the Mali game,” Agyemang admitted, conceding that the coach has shown noticeable growth throughout the qualifiers.
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However, the former NSA boss quickly tempered his praise with caution, arguing that Addo’s evolution might not be enough to navigate the intensity and tactical depth of the global stage.
“We will surely be at the World Cup, but Otto Addo can’t lead us to face teams like Spain, Italy, Portugal, Brazil and Argentina,” he warned, casting doubt on the manager’s readiness to confront football’s heavyweights.
While acknowledging Addo’s remarkable record unbeaten in seven qualifiers with six victories, Agyemang insisted that the coach’s touchline composure and tactical decision-making remain areas of concern, especially against world-class opposition.
He described Addo as a “qualification expert,” crediting him for taking Ghana to the brink of back-to-back World Cup appearances, yet maintained that leading the team through the tournament itself requires a higher level of technical and mental poise.
Agyemang’s criticism echoes the sentiments of Sports Minister Kofi Adams, who recently labeled Addo “lucky,” a view that has continued to swirl despite Ghana’s consistent performances under the 49-year-old tactician.
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In the eyes of many, Otto Addo’s results have silenced his early detractors, but for sceptics like Kwadwo Baah Agyemang, the real test of his coaching mettle will only begin when Ghana steps onto the world stage.
