“we were lucky to qualify for the 2022 World Cup”- Ghana coach Otto Addo speaks to Ghanaians

Ghana head coach Otto Addo has acknowledged the ongoing decline of the Black Stars, noting that the team was fortunate to qualify for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. The qualification came after a narrow victory over Nigeria on the away goals rule in a tense two-legged tie.

This achievement followed a disappointing performance at the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Cameroon, where Ghana exited at the group stage. Since then, the Black Stars have struggled to make an impact in major tournaments, suffering another group-stage exit at the 2023 AFCON in Ivory Coast.

Currently, Ghana finds itself on the brink of missing out on the 2025 AFCON tournament after a disappointing start, sitting third in Group F with just two points and without a win in four matches.Addo, who is in his second stint as head coach, has experienced a stark contrast to his first term, which culminated in World Cup qualification.

Reflecting on the team’s struggles, he stated, “Since not qualifying for the 2018 World Cup, we’ve been struggling as a country for a long time; we were lucky to qualify for the 2022 Qatar World Cup.

”Ghana’s chances of qualifying for the upcoming AFCON now depend on securing victories in their November matches against Angola and Niger, while also hoping for favorable results as Sudan faces the same opponents.

The last time Ghana missed an AFCON tournament was in 2004.