Accra Lions head coach Ibrahim Tanko has called for support for Black Stars head coach Otto Addo despite the team’s failure to qualify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). Tanko believes sacking Addo is not the solution and has urged stakeholders to give him the backing needed to succeed.
The Black Stars had a disappointing campaign, finishing at the bottom of Group F with just three points. The team failed to secure a single win, recording three draws and three losses. The poor performance has sparked widespread criticism, with many calling for Otto Addo and his technical team to be dismissed.
However, Tanko has defended Addo, emphasizing his ability to handle the role.
“I don’t believe the job is too big for him. He came in at a very challenging time. Remember, he took us to the World Cup in Qatar, though the performance wasn’t as expected, and then he was replaced by Chris Hughton, who was the technical director,” Tanko told Flashscore.
Tanko acknowledged the pressure surrounding Addo’s return but argued against making a change at this point.
“His return was always going to come with pressure. I don’t believe we should sack him; instead, we need to give him a chance. With the World Cup qualifiers coming up, should we really be bringing in a new coach? He just signed a three-year contract – if you sack him, you’ll have to pay. Plus, there’s no guarantee that the next coach will make an immediate impact,” he added.
The Ghana Football Association’s (GFA) Executive Council is expected to meet and make a decision on Addo’s future following the team’s AFCON qualification failure.
