Online Reporter
Ghana have parted ways with coach Otto Addo, with 72 days remaining until the kickoff of the 2026 World Cup, the country’s football association (GFA) announced yesterday.
The decision came a few hours following a 2-1 defeat by Germany in Stuttgart during their preparation for the tournament which will be held in North America next summer. Ghana also lost 5-1 in Austria on Friday.
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“The Ghana Football Association (GFA) have parted ways with the Head Coach of the senior men’s national team (Black Stars), Otto Addo effective immediately,” it said in a statement.
Former Borussia Dortmund player Otto Addo, appointed for a second stint in March 2024, failed to qualify Ghana for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations despite having Premier League players Antoine Semenyo and Mohammed Kudus in his squad.
The German-born coach won eight matches and lost nine in 22 games in charge of the West African nation.
Otto Addo, 50, led Ghana at the 2022 World Cup, after previously working as an assistant to Milovan Rajevac.
They recorded a 3–2 win over South Korea in Qatar but exited at the group stage after defeats by Portugal and Uruguay.
Ghana, who reached the World Cup for the fifth time, are in Group L along with Croatia, England and Panama.
Meanwhile, Germany forward Deniz Undav came off the bench to score an 88th-minute goal that secured a 2-1 victory over Ghana in a friendly on Monday, boosting his chances of making the World Cup squad.
The VfB Stuttgart striker, who is second on the Bundesliga scorers’ list with 18 goals, made the most of a second-half appearance in front of a home crowd, bagging the winner with a flick over the Ghana keeper.
The winning goal came after Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann had raised eyebrows on Friday when Undav was left on the bench as they beat Switzerland 4-3.
“A perfect evening. It was amazing to hear this support from the fans,” Undav said. “I came in and scored the goal but what is more important is that we won the game because otherwise it does not mean much.”
Asked whether he would settle for a substitute’s role at the World Cup as Nagelsmann had hinted, Undav said he had discussed his position with the coach.
“I accept my role and maybe if I score more goals like this my role may change, who knows,” Undav said.
Germany had an early chance through forward Nick Woltemade, who has struggled for form at Newcastle United this season but got the nod to start instead of Undav. – Reuters
