Black Stars Coach, Otto Addo has emphatically ruled out stepping down from his role.
The team’s 2-1 defeat to Niger in their final Group F game sealed their fate, marking Ghana's first absence from the continental tournament since 2004.
Facing mounting criticism, Addo remained defiant, defending his position and commitment to the team.
"I’m not someone who resigns. If I had that mindset, I’d never have become a player or a coach," he said.
"People shouting and telling me to resign can’t affect me. If you understand my journey to this point, you wouldn’t even ask about resignation.”
Reflecting on the match, Otto Addo acknowledged the Black Stars’ recurring problem with defending set pieces, which proved costly against Niger.
“We were aware of the threat from set pieces. The last time we met Niger, they scored from a corner, and it happened again. We need to improve in this area,” he stated.
Despite the disappointment, Otto Addo highlighted some positives, particularly the performances of new players.
"There are some positives, especially from debutants who justified their inclusion. We can build on this going forward,” he added.
Coach Addo urged fans and the media to focus on supporting the players instead of assigning blame.
"The media has the power to shape the narrative beyond results. I urge you to lift the players up—they gave everything they had,” he appealed.
In a surprising twist, the coach also used the press conference to pray for peaceful elections in Ghana.
“I want to pray for peaceful elections. No matter the outcome, let us maintain our country’s unity and peace,” he said.
Ghana’s poor campaign, which saw the team finish bottom of their group without a single win, has left fans and stakeholders questioning the direction of the national team under Addo’s leadership.
While the coach admitted a draw against Niger would not have changed Ghana’s elimination, he acknowledged its potential impact on morale.
“Even a draw wouldn’t have altered our fate, but it could have boosted the mood in the country and lifted the players’ spirits,” he said.
The defeat has intensified calls for a comprehensive review of the team’s management and strategy as the Black Stars face an uncertain future.
For now, Otto Addo remains resolute, insisting that he is the man to guide Ghana back to its former glory.
Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith
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