Sports
Systems let Otto Addo down
The call for the sack of Otto Addo as Black Stars coach has been loud since guiding the Black Stars to the Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup.
However, he has always found a way to weather that storm until luck eluded him this time, following back-to-back defeats to Austria and Germany in two international friendlies.
His situation was quite pathetic as a look on his face depicted a coach hoping to not just change the fortunes of the team, but to get the team to play well and cohesively.
But when the results are not there, you have no ‘evidence’ to back those efforts.
This is the story of a man that aimed to make a mark on his second coming.
Otto Addo’s journey with the Black Stars has been an interesting one. He took over the reins of the team and suddenly enjoyed a hero’s status after masterminding the World Cup qualification against Nigeria in a final qualifying play-off over two legs.
His name was sang everywhere by soccer fans. It was not an overwhelming performance though but the ability to grind the result sent the entire nation into frenzy.
With hopes so high for the World Cup, Ghana put up a poor display that commenced the chorus about getting a replacement for Otto Addo who eventually bowed.
But when Chris Hughton, Addo’s Technical Advisor, also failed to make a mark as a coach for the team, the German born trainer was brought back.
Then, the wheels of disappointment kicked in again with Ghana ending over 20 years AFCON qualification streak with the failure to qualify for the last AFCON hosted by Morocco.
However, qualification to the 2026 World Cup covered the AFCON sins of Otto Addo.
But Addo was exposed again by the last two friendlies against Austria and Germany. In those two matches, the Black Stars did not just suffer defeats but put up displays that does not reflect a team ready to participate in such a historic World Cup.
Obviously, the team was disjointed; no telepathy between the three departments of the team – defence, midfield and attack. The team just failed to click while the occasional individual brilliance was non-existent. It was a poor Black Stars, especially the one against the Austrians which Ghana lost 5-1.
And this has usually been the trend of Otto Addo who has proved over the years that he is a slow starter.
Usually, he would get a good or encouraging outcome to overwrite the poor show in the first game; but this time, he was unlucky to meet a much stronger opposition.
This situation affected his script as the Black Stars were dominated by the Germans who eventually won 2-1.
The only thing that kept the smile on the faces of Ghanaians was the size of the score.
Having suffered a 6-1 defeat in the hands of the Germans-in what came to be known as the ‘Bochum Disaster,’- in a similar exercise, coupled with the erratic show seen against Austria, fans predicted an annihilation.
But in that situation, Addo showed a bit of his tactical nous by deploying his men in a 4-4-2 system to give the team some defensive solidity.
But since systems don’t play football as is usually said, the Germans reduced the game, especially the first half, to a training session; passing around the shadow- chasing Black Stars.
From day one, it appears Addo’s systems have never gone well with not just the players but the fans as well. His set-ups always give indications of a team defensively- minded than attack.
Playing certain players out of position also seem to be one of his undoing.
It was quite strange that in a game against Kwesi Appiah’s Sudan, he deployed a defensive strategy that rendered his top players like Antoine Semenyo and Jordan Ayew ineffective.
It, therefore came as little surprise when the Ghana Football Association (GFA) dawn-broadcasted his sack ‘effective immediately.’
“The Ghana Football Association (GFA) has parted ways with the Head Coach of the senior men’s national team (Black Stars), Otto Addo effective immediately.
The Association wishes to thank Otto Addo sincerely for his contribution to the team and wishes him the best of luck in his future endeavours.
The Ghana Football Association will communicate the new technical direction of the Black Stars in due course,” the GFA statement read.
It is understandable the joy the announcement has generated among large sections of the Ghanaian fans.
That is very understandable. For a coach that seem to win matches the very difficult way and sometimes by dint of luck, it is very difficult to make an argument in his favour.
For the few that have opposed the decision, the concerns expressed over timing is genuine and cannot be washed away considering the short time available for a rebuild.
As the Head Coach, Otto Addo would carry the cross for the negatives and positives of the team as the game of football dictates but the sack and appointment of a new regime is no guarantee for ‘effective immediate’ success.
There must be a very good audit of the playing personnel. Truth is, some of the players don’t deserve to be around the team because in simple terms, they lack what it takes to feature for a national team tipped to go far in the World Cup.
By Andrew Nortey
Title chasers Medeama SC will host Asante Kotoko in a top Ghana Premier League Matchday 29 fixture tomorrow at the TnA Stadium in Tarkwa.
A win will keep their title dreams alive while a draw or defeat will play into the hands of current leaders Bibiani Gold Stars.
But Medeama are determined to leverage their home advantage to secure all three points against the Kotoko side that is crestfallen after losing 2–1 to Samartex in their rescheduled fixture on Tuesday at home.
Both sides have engaged in cagey and high-stakes contests in recent times, with Kotoko holding a slight edge over the Mauve and Yellow. However, the current form of Medeama may prove to be a tall order for the visitors.
Today at the Nil Adjei Kraku II Sports Complex in Tema New Town, Hearts of Oak will hope to secure a second consecutive win when they face Vision FC.
Hearts are aiming to reignite their title charge after picking up all three points against Young Apostles last week, while Vision FC suffered a 2–0 defeat to Heart of Lions in Kpando.
Samartex FC will return to their fortress, the Nsenkyire Sports Arena, to welcome Berekum Chelsea.
At the Tuba Astro Turf, Dreams FC will hope to return to winning ways when they take on Eleven Wonders.
Elsewhere, Basake Holy Stars will travel to the Kwame Kyei Sports Complex to face 13th-placed Nations FC.
Sixth-placed Karela United will welcome Heart of Lions to the Aliu Mahama Sports Stadium in Tamale, with Bechem United FC set to have a rest day with their three points and three goals assured following the withdrawal of Hohoe United.
The year 2025 was one boxing stakeholders would look at with lots of regrets. Events in the sport within that period, to a large extent, eroded the gains chalked in recent times.
First, the death of a Nigerian boxer in a Ghanaian ring opened a canker of worms in the administration of the sport as officials in the corridors of power openly traded verbal tirades over competence and style of management. That left the Ghana Boxing Authority (GBA) broken and divided, leading to the resignation of its president, Mr Abraham Neequaye.
In his absence, a vice president, Roger Barnor, stepped into the saddle. With renewed energy and vigour, he managed to unite the rank and file of the sport as other stakeholders praised that effort.
But just when the GBA appeared to have seen some stability, it was hit by another thunderstorm – the death of another boxer, Ernest ‘Baubali’ Akushey. His death came 11 days after a fight. That marked the premature end to Barnor’s term as Vice President acting as the President.
In the view of the powers that be, the formation of an Interim Management Committee to govern the sport and lead reforms was the way to go. With the latest of about two extensions of their mandates, they are expected to complete their work in June, including an election of a new executive to run the sport.
Within this period, boxing ground to a halt. All pending events were put on hold, with a few promoters heavily affected due to investment made before the unexpected takeover.
But since the return of the sport, syndicates like Legacy Rise, Box Office Sports (BOS), Bishop Promotions, RBS and others have staged shows to keep the scene alive.
Two boxers have been at the forefront of this revival. Jonathan ‘Worldwide’ Tetteh and Seth ‘Freezy MacBones’ Gyimah led the revival with a historic clash that filled the University of Ghana Stadium.
Without doubt, they have filled the void created by Baubali’s departure. Though ‘Freezy MacBones,’ the overwhelming favourite, lost on the scorecards, the nature of the fight and ruling left doors open for a rematch to be staged at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium.
Last week, the two boxers again featured on a BOS, RBS promotion at the Laboma Beach, facing different opponents, and they all emerged victorious.
These two boxers are gradually becoming the new face of boxing in Ghana and that will bode well for the sport. In their last two appearances, they showed an ability to sell their fights and that was evident in the numbers in the stands on fight night. This is something that is lacking from other boxers and their management teams.
Globally, the sport has thrived with boxers of such charisma always featured on big bills. Others like Theophilus Allotey, aka Theo Lopez, Joseph ‘Jaguar’ Commey, Samuel Takyi and John Laryea are other boxers to hold the flag high for Ghana.
Boxing’s return has been stupendous, and the drivers of that success must be commended, not leaving out ‘Worldwide’ and Freezy MacBones for keeping the flames of the sport alive.
By Andrew Nortey
