No place for opportunists: Otto Addo pledges to reward loyalty
Black Stars coach Otto Addo has drawn a clear line in the sand — Ghana’s 2026 World Cup campaign will not be a platform for last-minute converts or opportunists seeking to ride on the nation’s success.
Instead, loyalty, form, and commitment will take precedence over “sudden availability,” as the coach builds a squad driven by pride and purpose.
Speaking in an exclusive interview with Graphic Sports just days after guiding Ghana to their fifth World Cup qualification, Otto Addo hinted that while he remains open to fresh faces, those who battled through the qualifiers will be given priority.
“I would never say no [to adding new faces], but surely players who played qualifiers, who went through everything, have a higher chance,” he said.
The coach, who made history as the first man to lead Ghana to consecutive World Cups, knows the story all too well.
Nineteen years ago, Otto Addo was himself a late addition to the Black Stars’ maiden World Cup squad in Germany, yet this time, the 50-year-old insists sentiment will not cloud his judgement.
Approach to reinforcements
Ghana’s previous World Cup squads have often featured late arrivals, from Kevin-Prince Boateng’s high-profile switch in 2006, to Inaki Williams, Tariq Lamptey, and Antoine Semenyo, who all joined ahead of Qatar 2022 tournament without playing in the qualifiers.
But Addo’s tone suggests a policy change.
“I don’t think there will be too many changes this year,” he explained to the Graphic Sports last Wednesday. “We have some injured players now who may be available in June or July. Sometimes newcomers are coming up, so we don’t know exactly what to expect.
“It’s eight or nine months to go, and we have to observe the performances of our players and potential newcomers. Surely, the core of the boys will stay because they did extremely well.”
Speculation and ‘sudden converts’
Following Ghana’s qualification, reports have swirled around possible nationality switches by Eddie Nketiah of Crystal Palace and Callum Hudson-Odoi of Nottingham Forest, both England-born players of Ghanaian descent who have previously represented England at various levels.
While the news has generated excitement, it has also drawn scepticism from Ghanaians wary of players who, in the words of critics, “show up only when the plane ticket to the World Cup is printed.”
Otto Addo, however, remains unmoved by hype or big names. His focus is clear: unity, commitment, and hunger.
“I’ve been in talks with Eddie [Nketiah] since the last World Cup in 2022,” he revealed in a seperate interview with SuperSport. “For me, what is really important is that players who have made themselves available are committed also to the country.”
New era of accountability
Otto Addo also addressed reports linking other players of Ghanaian heritage, including Francis Amuzu, the former Belgium youth international who recently declared his readiness to represent Ghana at the World Cup.
Amuzu, now playing for Brazilian side Gremio, told reporters: “To be honest, at the moment, my heart is really with Ghana. If Ghana comes, for sure I will go, and I hope they can call me. I was born in Ghana, so I’m happy that they qualified.”
Despite such declarations, the gaffer insists that commitment will be thoroughly scrutinised.
“We will look at each case one by one,” he said firmly. “There are players I have been chasing since 2021 who didn’t reply to our calls or want to come.
It’s a different thing if we haven’t approached you and now you want to come. But if we have been approaching you all the way and you said no, and now we are at the World Cup, so you want to come, that’s a different matter.
“Ghana should always have a certain pride. We need to check the commitment of each player. We have very good unity, and we don’t want to destroy it by bringing in players who don’t have commitment.”
Unfinished mission
Few men understand Ghana’s World Cup journey like Otto Addo. He played in the country’s debut campaign in 2006, scouted for the 2010 and 2014 squads, and masterminded qualification for Qatar 2022 and now the 2026 tournament in North America.
Armed with lessons from past campaigns, the coach is shaping a team that blends grit, youth, and national pride — a group willing to fight for each other and for the flag.
His recent bold calls underscore this philosophy, most notably, dropping long-serving captain André Ayew, elevating local goalkeeper Benjamin Asare to the No.1 spot, and handing a surprise call-up to Kwasi Sibo of Real Oviedo.
These are not mere tactical moves; they are statements of intent by an coach fuelled by ambition and passion.
