From WC qualification credit to 'I wanted him gone' – Kofi Adams' u-turn on Otto Addo

Sports and Recreation Minister Kofi Adams has made a shift in his public stance on former Black Stars head coach Otto Addo, moving from acknowledging the coach’s role in securing Ghana’s place at the 2026 FIFA World Cup to admitting he would have dismissed him much earlier if the decision had rested solely with him.

Following Otto Addo’s dismissal in March 2026, Kofi Adams defended the decision while still giving the former coach credit for leading Ghana to the World Cup.

Speaking on Asempa FM in April 2026, the minister acknowledged Addo’s achievement of qualifying the Black Stars to their fifth World Cup appearance.

“He has helped us; we have qualified,” Adams earlier stated.

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He explained that the decision to part ways with the coach was based on a broader assessment of the team’s performance rather than the World Cup qualification alone.

However, just three months later, Adams adopted a far harder line.

Speaking on 3FM Sunrise on Tuesday, July 14, the Minister of Sports and Recreation revealed that had the decision been entirely his, Otto Addo would have been relieved of his duties well before Ghana completed its World Cup qualifying campaign.

“If the decision were mine alone, I would have sacked Otto Addo much earlier during the qualifiers,” Adams stated, adding that the process required consensus with the Ghana Football Association and other stakeholders before any action could be taken.

Otto Addo’s second spell as Black Stars coach came to an end in March 2026, after defeats to Austria and Germany in international friendlies.

Despite guiding Ghana to qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, his tenure was overshadowed by the team’s failure to qualify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations and a series of disappointing performances that drew widespread criticism.

FKA/EB

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