Sports
Otto Addo the hero as Stars dazzle
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The performance of the Black Stars of Ghana in their last two games has reinforced a job hazard associated with coaching.
Although, a game of football always comes with three outcomes, a coach must go to his knees in prayer, asking the Almighty God to constantly deliver him wins in every match.
It means the fans, who are also well aware that their demands for wins weeks in and out is not possible, would, however, not accept the other outcomes of either sharing the spoils or be defeated.
Those prayers to win every time also look impossible because there may be thousands, if not millions, of coaches on their knees almost at the same time, asking the Almighty for similar favours.
Coach Otto Addo may be aware of this interesting scenario but recent development would remind him of that strong desire of the fans to win at all cost, and the need to work hard to that realisation.
Having played for the Black Stars as one of the privileged players to represent Ghana at her maiden FIFA World Cup in Germany in 2026, his appointment as the Black Stars coach was hailed by many.
He did not practice his trade in Ghana like the many others but as a good player with Borussia Dortmund, he justified his selection into the Black Stars. He later became a coach of the German club.
Therefore, in the quest to domesticate the technical department of the Black Stars, he was appointed with high hopes, perhaps due to the experience gained in his role as an Assistant Coach at Dortmund.
Addo came at a very crucial moment. It was indeed decisive because Ghana was about to face Nigeria in a two-legged World Cup qualifying play-off to Qatar.
Impressively, he managed to go past the Nigerians to snatch the World Cup ticket for Ghana.
Afterwards, Otto Addo became as instant hero. Expectations skyrocketed in anticipation of a good World Cup showing. That dream was blown up in the air following some of the worst performances from the Black Stars at the global soccer Mundial. At that point, he became a villain.
But Ghana strangely kept faith with him. After a period of negotiations, Addo assumed the reins of the Stars technical bench but once again failed woefully; missing out from the 2026 African Cup of Nations (AFCON).
In the end, he set an unwanted record of breaking a 20-year continuous participation at the African football festival.
In many quarters, that was unforgivable and would have been dragged to Golgotha Gethsemane for crucifixion.
Few months down the line, Coach Otto Addo and his team, which came under huge criticism for their underperformances, have been hailed for the improvement and hunger shown to the USA, Canada, and Mexico World Cup qualifiers.
From the lower ranks of the Group I table, the Black Stars currently lead the group with three points. They have 15 points and followed by Comoros with 12 with four matches to go.
That was made possible by scintillating displays against the group’s whipping boys, Chad, who conceded five in Accra and Madagascar who conceded three.
The transition from a team described as ‘one-goal project’ for winning matches with a goal margins to one that scores freely and defends with gusto seems magical and has gotten fans applauding.
That should tell Otto Addo that Ghanaians are not against him. All they care about are the deliverables – win, win, win and qualify for the World Cup.
And in doing so, he must ensure the right caliber of players are invited to ensure that the job is done.
His caution against complacency is quite instructive and every worker around the team must know. The enthusiasm is high now; the fans showed the love in the last two matches, so what is left now is for Otto Addo and his charges to deliver another World Cup. Failure to do that could see a return to ‘factory settings.’
By Andrew Nortey
In a resolve to build clearer pathway for athletes, the President of the Ghana Taekwondo Federation (GTF), Mr Frederick Lartey Otu, has indicated the new executive’s commitment to strengthen collaboration with major stakeholders in the development and promotion of the sport.
According to him, it would be difficult to achieve its set targets set for the new elected term without a good working relations with such collaborators.
Mr Otu said this when he addressed participants at the closing ceremony of the 16th edition of the Korean Ambassador’s Cup Taekwondo Championship held last Saturday at the Borteyman Sports Complex.
The event saw the Greater Accra Region’s dominance as they amassed a total of 26 medals consisting of 10 gold, eight silver and eight bronze medals.
The Upper East Region followed in second position with a gold, silver and six bronze medals and Western Region in third after annexing a gold and silver medals.
According to him, the new executive will continue to strengthen collaboration with the Ministry of Sports and Recreation (MoSR), National Sports Authority (NSA), Ghana Olympic Committee (GOC), the Korean Embassy in Accra, corporate organisations as well as educational institutions and Regional Associations.
“Our recent engagements with key stakeholders have reinforced our belief that there is a willingness to support Ghana Taekwondo when we present clear programmes, demonstrate accountability and work collaboratively,” he stated.
Consequently, he assured of the executive board’s commitment to good governance, transparency, accountability, teamwork and respect for all stakeholders.
“We’ll listen to our regions, clubs, coaches, athletes, officials and members of the Taekwondo family. We’ll continue to improve our administrative systems, documentation, communication, financial planning and programme coordination,” he added.
Mr Otu noted that the board was committed to building a sustainable Taekwondo development system that produces athletes, coaches, referees and administrators capable of representing Ghana with pride.
He said starting this month, the GTF will roll out its first major initiative – the Regional Taekwondo Awareness Campaign, to be launched in the Ashanti Region.
The campaign is designed to take Taekwondo directly to the schools and communities, particularly areas where sporting opportunities are limited.
“Our immediate target is to begin with at least five deprived regions — Northern Region, Upper West Region, Bono Region, Central Region and Ashanti Region — and identify young people with the potential to become future Taekwondo athletes,” he emphasised.
Mr Otu expressed gratitude to the Korean embassy for its continuous support for the championship which he said had given Ghanaian athletes the opportunity to compete, gain valuable experience, test themselves against quality opposition and develop the confidence necessary to progress to higher levels of competition.
At the end of the competition, the embassy presented a number of Taekwondo attires to the GTF to boost the sport’s promotion in Ghana.
By Andrew Nortey
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CAF 2nd Vice President and President of the Ghana Football Association, Kurt Edwin Simeon-Okraku, has visited the Black Princesses in Poland ahead of their opening game at the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup.
The GFA President, who watched the team’s training session, assured the players of the Association’s full support and backed them to make history by qualifying from the group stage for the first time.
“A few days ago, I was in a chat with the head coach and I promised that I was going to join him for what I think is the most important game for us, which is the first game,” President Simeon-Okraku told the team.
“For me, the first game is the most important, because if we start well, chances are that we will do well. History tells us that this team has always been here. We’ve always been at this tournament for seven consecutive times. My inner faith is telling me that we have enough quality here to qualify from this group.”
He praised the players for their sacrifice and patience throughout preparations, saying their investment would be repaid on the pitch.
“You have been patient and gone through the troubles and the hassles. And you are here today. I believe that these sacrifices you have made, these investments you have made, will be repaid,” he said.
The GFA President stressed that Ghana has the quality to overcome their group opponents.
“We are faced by three opponents — Ecuador, Korea Republic and France. These three nations, believe me, are no better than us. We have enough quality in this team to win games in this group and to make it to the second round of the competition.”
“This tournament is played every two years, so after 14 years, this is the 16th year now — this group must be the one that makes it out of the group to the knockout stage. And this must happen.”
“I think the team is ready. The technical team have done a good job. The players have conducted themselves well. We will continue to support you to ensure you get the best to be able to compete at this level.”
He also charged the final squad to make those who missed out proud.
“A few of you were here but didn’t make the squad and had to leave. This is that moment that you have to make them proud.”
President Simeon-Okraku was accompanied to the training ground by Chief of Staff at the GFA, Michael Osekre, and President of Dreams FC, Jiji Alifoe.
Ghana will open their campaign against Ecuador on September 6, 2026, before facing Korea Republic and France in their other group matches.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
