Former Ghana international Hans Adu Sarpei has expressed strong disagreement with the Ghana Football Association’s decision to dismiss Otto Addo, insisting the coach should have been retained to lead the Black Stars into the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The Ghana FA parted ways with Addo following back-to-back friendly defeats against Germany and Austria, just months after reappointing him in March 2024.
Sarpei, who featured for Ghana at both the 2006 and 2010 World Cups, downplayed the significance of the recent friendly results, arguing that such matches should not determine a coach’s suitability.
He maintained that Addo earned the right to continue, having successfully guided the team to World Cup qualification despite earlier setbacks.
“When we didn’t qualify for the [AFCON], there was a lot of shouting,” Sarpei told Joy Sports.
“Then he qualified us for the World Cup. He brought the team to the World Cup; he should go with the team [to the World Cup]. World Cup and friendly games are totally different,” he added.
Addo, who also served as a Borussia Dortmund scout, had faced mounting criticism after Ghana failed to qualify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations — the country’s first absence from the tournament in two decades — even though he secured World Cup qualification.
With the head coach position now vacant, reports suggest the GFA is considering several high-profile candidates, including former Black Stars coach Kwesi Appiah, Sudan’s current head coach; Walid Regragui, who led Morocco to a historic World Cup semi-final; and Saudi Arabia boss Hervé Renard.
Meanwhile, the Black Stars are set to continue their World Cup preparations with international friendlies against Mexico on May 22 and Wales on June 2.
Ghana has been drawn in Group L for the 2026 World Cup alongside England, Croatia, and Panama, with hopes of advancing beyond the group stage for the first time since 2010.
