Sports
Otto Addo the hero as Stars dazzle
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
Sports
Sports Ministry, PGA Ghana to roll out ‘Golf-in-School’ programme
The Minister for Sports and Recreation, Mr Kofi Iddie Adams, says his sector is ready to leverage golf as a tool for sports development and environmental consciousness in the country.
In his view, a sport like golf must be given the needed attention because of its potential to enhance development and boost economic benefits to the youth.
Mr Adams gave the remark when he received a delegation from the Professional Golfers Association (PGA), Ghana.
The team was led by its president, Mr Hans De Beer and accompanied by other top officials.
At the heart of the meeting was a shared commitment to reposition golf, most importantly professional golf as a powerful tool not only for sporting excellence but also for promoting ecological awareness and social inclusion.
Mr Adams acknowledged the current collaboration between the ministry and the PGA and acknowledged PGA’s recognition of the Ministry’s support for both amateur and professional golf in Ghana.
He stated that sports development cannot thrive in isolation and requires strong partnerships, visionary planning, and collective action, emphasising the importance of golf in promoting discipline, strategy, and respect for nature.
According to the Sports Minister, every golfer becomes an advocate for the environment, adding that “it is time to introduce golf in schools. This initiative would nurture young minds to value green spaces while embracing a sport that has enormous potential for tourism, health, and character development.”
He assured the PGA team that their collaboration would move beyond dialogue into action, with plans to develop golf-in-schools programmes, roll out climate-awareness campaigns, and engage communities across regions in growing the game.
That vision, he said aligns with the country’s efforts to promote sustainable development and environmental conservation.
“By introducing golf-in-schools, it would instill values of discipline, hard work, and respect for nature in young people. The planned golf-in-schools programmes would not only promote the sport but also provide opportunities for young people to develop important life skills,” Mr Adams who doubles as a Member of Parliament for the Buem Constituency stated.
Responding, Mr De Beer, expressed their gratitude for the sports Minister’s support and commitment to developing golf in Ghana and also welcomed the opportunity to collaborate with the Ministry and contribute to the growth of the sport in the country.
The meeting marked the beginning of a long-term partnership between the Ministry and the PGA to strengthen golf in Ghana and build a legacy that connects sport with sustainability.
Other PGA executive members who were present at the meeting include: Alhaji Ahmed Padori, Vice President, Tournament Director, Eric Henaku, Assistant Tournament Director, Francis Torgah, Emos Kwablah a senior member and Secretary of the Ladies’ Professional Golfers of Ghana Mercy Werner
By Spectator Reporter
Sports
Neequaye’s GBA exit …What might have caused it?
AN announcement from the communication team of the Ghana Boxing Authority (GBA) informing stakeholders about the resignation of its president, Mr Abraham Kotei Neequaye has got fans thinking.
The resignation in itself is not a big issue.
Fact is, under the current circumstances, it may seem the best decision by Mr Neequaye who has supervised the most tumultuous boxing era in Ghana.
That is not to suggest that previous leaders of the association were saints; however, the level of acrimony under this administration is unprecedented.
Lucky to have witnessed the era of Mr Nii Quaye Mensah, Mr Moses Foh-Amoaning, Mr Samir Captan, Mr Peter Zwennes; one can confidently say the scene has never been that electric.
But what exists now is nothing short of a life in the boxing ring.
Wednesday’s announcement of an indication to resign yesterday (Friday, June 27) also got a few tongues wiggling with the timing.
Seeming to have brave the odds to such a crucial time that the association was preparing for its Elective Congress to put in place a new executive team; and Neequaye himself sounding confident of retaining his seat for another term, only to drop his guard last minute clearly suggests that there is more beyond what the eye can see.
Evidently, there is fire on the GBA’s corridors of power.
He has cited personal reasons for the decision but that has also sent journalists on a wild goose chase, finding anything available that is related to boxing to connect.
It has also left the Pandora’s Box opened with all manner of reasons flying around the media space.
A section of the media have tried to link the decision to findings and recommendation by a ministerial committee formed to probe the circumstances under which a Nigerian boxer died in Ghana during a fight sanctioned by the GBA.
Others are of the opinion that the embattled GBA boss was only trying to face the realities of the time.
This has come from a school of thought that he has realised he stands no chance in the impending election due to the bad blood between him and a huge number of stakeholders of the sport.
A few have managed to introduce some political theatrics into the Neequaye resignation drama, citing tensions between him and some party big wigs including the Minister of Sports and Recreation.
These are interesting times for the boxing fraternity.
But it’s amazing how time flies and how a lot of things can change with time.
Four or so years ago when Mr Peter Zwennes decided to step down as GBA boss, Neequaye was deemed the Messiah to take the sport to a new level.
He gained the support of these stakeholders who have become sworn enemies and was able to win against some heavyweights including a former promoter, Mr Henry Manly Spain.
The coaches, promoters, boxers, referees and other identifiable groups sang his praise but how all of these changed in less than a year remains a mystery.
Just after a year, key members of his executives confided in friends about contesting their president who they claimed to be going ‘out of order.’
Aside the verbal exchanges, other issues have gone to court for interpretation but all these moves are yet to restore peace and sanity in the GBA.
Stakeholders planning to shock Neequaye at the polls may be left stunned by the decision to bow out at the 11th round.
It is the hope of all that the next elected president can restore the peace and unity the GBA enjoyed and bring the stakeholders together.
But, however one looks at it, the history of the GBA would be incomplete without the strides of Neequaye whose tenure replicated the Foh-Amoaning’s Mortein Boxing League with what came to be known as the Imax Boxing League which also came with its own stories and challenges to promoters.
By Andrew Nortey
