“Otto Addo’s apology is insufficient,” argues Naa Kwaamah Siaw-Marfo.

In Ghana, football is more than just a game. It is a source of pride and national identity. The country is in shock as a result of the Black Stars’ recent inability to qualify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco.

It is really a disgrace that Ghana will be greatly missed at the continental football festival for the first time in 20 years. Otto Addo, the head coach, is primarily to blame for this failure; his apologies for the debacle hasn’t done much to rebuild trust in his ability to manage.

It is dishonourable that the GFA decided to let him continue to be in control. The GFA’s choice to keep Addo on board in spite of his shortcomings betrays a concerning lack of responsibility. Allowing him to continue as head coach conveys the incorrect idea that supporters’ concerns are unimportant and that mediocrity is acceptable.

Otto Addo’s tenure has obviously reached a breaking point. He has not only fallen short of expectations, but it seems he has also lost the dressing room. The players, who ought to be the team’s core, don’t seem driven or committed to standing up for him.

On the pitch, where the Black Stars have failed to exhibit unity, urgency, or enthusiasm, the players’ lack of dedication has been apparent.

This decline in morale is caused by Otto Addo’s incapacity to command respect and inspire confidence in addition to his dubious techniques.

Otto Addo cannot succeed in this poisonous environment. He is no longer a suitable candidate for the position. Otto Addo must do the right thing and step down for the sake of Ghanaian football and the sake of the heartbroken supporters.

Knowing when to put others’ needs ahead of your own is a key component of leadership. It is more detrimental than beneficial for Otto Addo to remain head coach. In addition to safeguarding what remains of his reputation, Addo’s resignation would enable the team to rebuild under a new coach who can re-establish unity and faith.

Even more difficult than AFCON qualifying are the forthcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers. There’s little reason to think Otto Addo can make things better with the team as it stands right now. The GFA would be allowed to select a leader who could bring the players together and execute a successful plan if he resigned.

This complacency runs the risk of further alienating the players and harming the Black Stars’ standing internationally.

It’s true that Ghanaian football is at a turning point. The Black Stars require a new beginning in order to regain their position among Africa’s elite. Otto Addo had to step aside to start this. Although Otto Addo’s apology admits his mistakes, it doesn’t deal with the team’s underlying problems.