“I’m Not Afraid of Being Sacked!” : Otto Addo Makes a Bold Statement Ahead of Mali Clash
Head coach of the Black Stars, Otto Addo, has boldly declared that he is unfazed by the possibility of being sacked, despite a mixed record leading the Black Stars. In a pre-match press conference ahead of the crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Mali, scheduled for September 9 at the Accra Sports Stadium, Addo expressed confidence in his team’s position at the top of Group I.
Ghana recently drew 1-1 with Chad, conceding a late equalizer, while Mali secured a convincing 3-0 victory over Comoros. This backdrop has intensified scrutiny on Addo, who has faced considerable criticism for the team’s performances. However, he responded defiantly, stating, “These statistics of my wins and losses are of no use. I’m not afraid of anything, not even getting sacked. We are still on top of Group I, so nothing has changed.”
In his second stint as head coach, Addo’s record stands at five wins, five losses, and five draws over 15 matches, with the team scoring 27 goals and conceding 18. Under his leadership, the Black Stars failed to qualify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, a disappointment that has not gone unnoticed, with Mali’s head coach, Tom Saintfiet, calling it “shocking.”
Addressing the press, Addo provided updates on key players, stating that Derrick Kohn’s FIFA approval is still pending, and Thomas Partey was sidelined due to illness during the Chad game, while Alexander Djiku missed the match for a medical check in Moscow. Despite these challenges, Addo emphasized that these are “not an excuse” for the disappointing result against Chad.
Addo also addressed concerns about conceding late goals in crucial matches, acknowledging the need for the team to learn quickly from their mistakes. “What I expect, at least, if we don’t have a good day is to stop them from shooting at goals. We have to do everything we can,” he stated. He urged everyone to avoid complacency, emphasizing that “we are not at the World Cup yet. We have to fight for this.”
Looking ahead to the Mali game, Addo stressed the importance of securing a win to maintain control of their destiny in Group I. “As long as we have it in our own hands, I’m very, very positive. And we have to still keep it in our own hands. And for this, we have to win tomorrow,” he affirmed. He declined to reveal whether Djiku would start, citing a desire to surprise their opponents. Addo highlighted the importance of leadership on the pitch, particularly from captain Jordan Ayew, and expressed confidence that the team would be fully concentrated until the last minute.
