Kofi Adams has firmly pushed back against claims that he personally engineered the departure of Otto Addo, insisting the decision to part ways with the Black Stars head coach was neither unilateral nor politically imposed.
Addo, who resumed control of Ghana national football team in March 2024, was dismissed in the aftermath of consecutive defeats to Austria and Germany during the March international window. His removal came at a curious moment, only months after he had successfully steered Ghana to qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, fueling widespread debate about the timing and rationale behind the move.
Amid swirling speculation that the Sports Ministry had intervened decisively, Adams has sought to reframe the narrative, portraying the decision as a collective outcome rooted in technical evaluation rather than individual authority.
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Speaking on Asempa FM, the Minister underscored that both administrative and footballing assessments had raised red flags about the team’s trajectory heading toward the global showpiece. While acknowledging Addo’s achievement in securing qualification, Adams pointed to underlying concerns about performances and consistency.
“Otto Addo did his best to qualify the team for the World Cup, but we had expressed concerns over the performance of the team, and if the Ghana Football Association (GFA) also did their analysis, they also realised that things are not encouraging, especially going into the World Cup,” he explained.
Adams further clarified that the process leading to Addo’s exit had already gathered momentum before his direct involvement.
“I did not sack Otto Addo. There was an agreement that a meeting would be held after the Austria and Germany games,” he stated.
“I joined the team after the Austria game and before I even arrived in Germany, a discussion had been held, and there was a level of agreement to let him go, so I did not single-handedly do that. We respect Otto Addo for what he did for us,” Mr Adams added.
Addo’s second tenure, while ultimately successful in achieving the primary objective of World Cup qualification, was marked by uneven performances and a lack of sustained cohesion, issues that appear to have weighed heavily in the final assessment.
In the immediate aftermath, the Ghana Football Association acted swiftly to restore direction, turning to seasoned Portuguese coach Carlos Queiroz on a short-term four-month deal. His mandate is clear: stabilise the squad and sharpen its competitive edge ahead of the tournament.
Ghana, preparing for their fifth World Cup appearance, face a stern examination in Group L, where they will come up against England national football team, Croatia national football team, and Panama. Their campaign begins against Panama on June 17, followed by a high-profile clash with England on June 23, before concluding the group stage against Croatia on June 27.
With the coaching saga now receding into the background, the spotlight shifts decisively to the pitch, where Queiroz must transform uncertainty into cohesion, and ambition into tangible results on football’s grandest stage.
