GFA at crossroads: Otto Addo’s future, bold decisions to revive Black Stars

The Ghana Football Association (GFA) faces a defining moment as it grapples with tough decisions to restore the Black Stars’ reputation and chart a path for the future of Ghanaian football. 

The national team’s shocking failure to qualify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) has highlighted a deep crisis within the sport. 

The absence of Ghana’s flagship football team from the continental stage for the first time since 2004 has sparked outrage and demands for transformative change. 

At the centre of the storm is head coach Otto Addo, whose leadership is under intense scrutiny after the Black Stars’ dismal qualification campaign. 

The GFA executive council is set to meet on Wednesday, 27 November to review the coach’s technical report and assess the performance of his backroom staff. 

The outcome of this meeting could determine the coach’s future and signal the GFA’s broader strategy for reviving Ghanaian football.

Unforgivable campaign

The Black Stars’ 1-2 home defeat to Niger last week was the culmination of an abysmal qualification run. 

The team failed to secure a single victory in six matches, finishing bottom of a group that included Niger, Angola and Sudan. 

This was not only a blow to the nation’s pride but also a harsh indictment of Otto Addo’s tenure.

While calls for the coach’s dismissal have grown louder, opinions remain divided. 

Former players such as Laryea Kingston and Ibrahim Tanko have urged patience, arguing that constant managerial changes disrupt the team’s progress. 

They also warn of the financial implications of terminating Otto Addo’s contract, which runs until 2026. Should the GFA choose to part ways with him, it would owe compensation, adding further strain to the association’s already stretched resources.

Wider implications 

The Black Stars are more than a football team; they are a national brand and a vital component of Ghanaian football’s ecosystem. 

Their failure to qualify for AFCON extends beyond disappointment on the pitch. It has far-reaching implications for league attendance, sponsorship deals and the overall enthusiasm for the sport in Ghana. The 2026 FIFA World Cup, co-hosted by the USA, Canada and Mexico, presents a glimmer of hope for financial recovery and global recognition. 

FIFA’s payout of $10.5 million to the GFA after the Black Stars’ participation in the 2022 World Cup in Qatar underscores the economic significance of qualification. 

Missing out on the 2026 tournament would not only rob Ghana of critical funds but also limit opportunities for sports tourism and international exposure. 

Wilson Arthur, the President of Division One League side Skyy FC, is particularly concerned about the broader impact of the Black Stars’ decline.

“When the national team struggles, it creates a domino effect,” Arthur warned. “Attendance at local league matches suffers, sponsors pull out and the interest of young talents dwindles,” Mr Arthur’s concerns are not unfounded. 

The Ghana Premier League is already facing financial challenges, with no title sponsor and no broadcast partner following the end of its deal with pay TV operator, StarTimes. 

The league’s diminished commercial appeal, combined with declining match-day attendance, is exacerbating the difficulties faced by clubs and the sport as a whole.

“With the transition to professional leagues, the 48 Division One League clubs and the 16 Premier League clubs have ballooned budgets to deal with.

Players have to be signed on contract else they become free agents and can walk away any day without a reason. For example, a two-year contract in Division One costs, on the average GH¢5,000 for new players and GH¢10,000 for experienced players. 

The Premier League costs three times more with salaries ranging between GH¢500 to GH¢1,500,” explained Mr Arthur.

There are also inter-club transfer fees to deal with for the topflight league, ranging between GH¢30,000 and GH¢100,000 depending on the quality of the player. 

Beyond these are recurrent expenditure on feeding of players, transport, medical bills among others. With the dwindling gate income and dry sponsorship, clubs have been compelled to sell upcoming talents fast and to the highest bidder, while sacrificing quality of play. 

Some clubs, it has been alleged, have resorted to fixed matches for income from betting

Crisis for stakeholders

The ripple effects of the Black Stars’ struggles are being felt across the football ecosystem. Club owners, investors and even sports journalists are bearing the brunt of the team’s poor performances. 

Mr Arthur lamented that Ghana’s declining football fortunes have made it harder to sell players abroad, as scouts increasingly look elsewhere.

The media is another critical stakeholder grappling with the fallout. Ghanaian journalists are less likely to secure sponsorship to cover the 2025 AFCON, with the Black Stars absent from the tournament.

International outlets, which typically commission stories on Ghana’s participation, may also scale back their coverage, further reducing opportunities for local writers. 

Additionally, media houses reliant on live broadcast rights to attract sponsorships face a tough sell. 

The absence of the Black Stars from AFCON means reduced interest in the tournament, which could hurt their bottom lines.

Strategic reset

This moment demands thoughtful leadership from the GFA. Reactionary decisions such as the dismissal of four coaches since 2019 have failed to deliver results. 

Kwasi Appiah, Charles Akonnor, Milovan Rajevac and Chris Hughton all came and went without reversing the team’s fortunes. 

If the GFA chooses to retain Otto Addo, it must insist on greater accountability and a clear plan for rebuilding the Black Stars. 

Conversely, if it opts for change, the association must prioritise long-term goals over short-term fixes. Ghanaian football needs a strategic vision encompassing grassroots development, stronger league structures and improved governance.

The challenges go beyond the senior national team. The GFA must address systemic issues such as the lack of investment in youth football and the persistent financial difficulties facing clubs. 

Without a holistic approach, any progress made at the national team level will be unsustainable. 

Path to redemption

Despite the current gloom, there is still hope for redemption. 

The 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, set to resume in March 2025, offer an opportunity for the Black Stars to restore their reputation. 

Success in these qualifiers could reignite national pride, attract investment and re-establish Ghana as a football powerhouse.

The GFA’s next steps will be crucial. Whether it decides to retain Otto Addo or bring in a new coach, the focus must be on sustainable growth and a clear vision for the future. 

The stakes are high, not just for the Black Stars but for the entire football ecosystem in Ghana.