A Black Stars Management Committee Member, Akwesi Agyeman, has urged patience with head coach Otto Addo, opposing calls for his dismissal despite his failure to secure the African Cup of Nations qualification.

Otto made the unfortunate mark in Black Stars history, becoming the first coach in 21 years to fail to qualify the team for the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

Under his guidance, the four times AFCON champions managed three draws and suffered two defeats in the qualifying campaign, despite facing Niger and Sudan—two nations grappling with significant challenges, including Sudan’s status as a war-torn country, which forced both teams to play their matches outside their jurisdictions.

The group also included Angola.

Adding to this disappointment, Otto Addo is now the first coach in 24 years to lose a match at the iconic Baba Yara Stadium, a venue long considered a fortress for Ghanaian football.

This monumental failure has led many football fans to call for his dismissal, arguing that his tenure no longer inspires confidence in the team’s ability to deliver on the international stage.

However, Mr Agyeman, speaking on DayBreak Hitz on Hitz FM with Andy Dosty on Monday, 18 November 2024, emphasised the need for stability within the technical team, highlighting the detrimental impact of frequent coaching changes in recent years.

“Over the last few years, how many coaches have we had? Kwasi Appiah came and went, then CK Akonnor, then Milovan [Rajevac], and Otto Addo’s first and second spells [as well as Chris Hughton].

"Speaking with the FA president and Executive Committee, their plan was to have a long-term strategy. They believed Otto Addo was suited for this because of his potential to commit to a long-term project. At the time, he had taken us to the World Cup, but due to his commitments with Dortmund, he returned there after the tournament,” Agyeman explained.

Despite the Black Stars’ failure to qualify for the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) and their recent poor form, Agyeman maintains that dismissing Addo now would harm Ghana’s chances of securing a spot in the World Cup.

“He’s been brought back to build something for the long term. If you consider the long-term vision, consistency is essential. Football is about results, yes, but right now, in just a few months, we have two critical games against Chad, home and away, to keep our World Cup hopes alive. I don’t think this is the right time for a change,” he argued.

‘This is not the right time to change Otto Addo’ – Black Stars Management Committee Member, Akwesi Agyeman on #DaybreakHitz on @Hitz1039FM #JoySports pic.twitter.com/K3wqCbaX70

— #JoySports (@JoySportsGH) November 18, 2024

Ghana, already eliminated from AFCON qualification, will face Niger today at the Accra Sports Stadium in their final Group F fixture.