Veteran Ghanaian coach backs Otto Addo amid calls for dismissal after AFCON failure

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Veteran Ghanaian coach, Anthony Adusei has backed Otto Addo despite calls for his sack following Black Stars’ failure to qualify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

The 47-year-old trainer who replaced Chris Hughton on a three-year deal earlier this year has come under intense pressure after the team recorded three defeats and three draws in the recently concluded qualifiers.

The Black Stars finished in Group F with three points and for the first time in two decades, the four-time African champions will not participate in the AFCON tournament.

Speaking in an interview with Asempa FM’s Ultimate Sports Show, Adusei, who also serves as CAF Coaching Instructor expressed frustration at how a section of the public quickly lambast Addo.

Anthony Adusei

According to him, blaming the former Ghana international entirely for the team’s struggles is not an ideal thing to do.

He emphasized that poor performances cannot be attributed solely to the coach, highlighting that other factors, including the players’ individual performances, also play a significant role.

“The team has been conceding goals a lot, and by now we should find a solution to it,” he said.

“My problem is when things don’t go well, everybody seems to blame the coach, but not everything is his fault. So those who don’t have an in-depth understanding of the tactical approach to games end up criticizing the coach all the time.

“Even if the players are not performing, they blame it on the coach. Meanwhile, we should be looking at how to improve the players, not accusing the coach,” he added.

Meanwhile, after a technical report review meeting with Otto Addo last week, the Executive Council of the Ghana Football Association (GFA) is yet to make a decision on the future of the former Borussia Dortmund coach following Black Stars’ failure to qualify.

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