Sports Minister Kofi Adams has described Black Stars coach Otto Addo as “lucky” but says there are still major concerns about his performance despite Ghana’s promising run in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
Speaking on JoyNews’ PM Express on Wednesday, the Buem MP acknowledged Otto Addo’s contribution in leading Ghana to within a point of qualification but expressed reservations about some of his tactical decisions.
“Well, he has been lucky, but there are still concerns,” Mr. Adams stated.
When asked to elaborate, the Minister explained that Otto Addo has admitted to making tactical missteps in certain matches.
“Well, concerns that he himself most times when we meet, he will admit maybe I should have done a substitution, or I should have urged them on, or I should have fielded this person to play this role. And so there are concerns. But I must say he’s been lucky. It doesn’t mean that he shouldn’t improve.”
Mr. Adams was careful not to label the coach as incompetent but made it clear that he was not fully satisfied.
“I can’t say that he’s totally incompetent. I’m not a coach; I’m only a minister who loves the game. But I am not satisfied. That’s all I’m seeking to say.”
The Minister also admitted that watching the Black Stars has often been stressful, even in victory.
“Yes, he’s qualified, but I know I have sat on some hooks and nails. I’ve had to get up to use the washroom a number of times by force,” he joked, adding that he still cannot call Otto Addo incompetent.
When asked directly if Otto Addo was the right man to lead Ghana to the World Cup, Mr. Adams said it was too early to make that determination.
“If I answer that question now, I would have been creating a problem. We still have games ahead of us. There’s a game we haven’t finished.”
He clarified that the decision on whether Otto Addo stays or goes rests with the Ghana Football Association (GFA), not the Ministry.
“The minister doesn’t take those decisions. There’s a federation that manages our national team. They have a role to play, and I cannot sit here when we haven’t had that conversation to be talking about retaining or dismissing the coach.”
Pressed further, Mr. Adams acknowledged that constant reviews are necessary across all departments of the national team.
“There are decisions to be made every day — including who plays and who doesn’t, coaching, nutrition, and physiotherapy,” he noted.
His remarks come after Ghana’s 5–0 victory over the Central African Republic in Morocco, which put the Black Stars three points clear at the top of Group I. The emphatic win has brought Ghana within touching distance of a fifth World Cup appearance — yet, as the Minister emphasized, not without lingering questions about consistency and tactical execution.
