Black Stars Team Manager Ameenu Shardow defends Otto Addo’s leadership amid criticism

Ghana Black Stars team manager, Ameenu Shardow, has defended head coach Otto Addo despite the team’s failure to qualify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, ending a 20-year streak.

Shardow argued that while results were disappointing, Addo’s overall performance demonstrated progress. He highlighted Addo’s unexpected victory over Mali in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, reigniting Ghana’s hopes for the tournament in the USA, Canada, and Mexico.

Shardow emphasized that results alone should not determine a coach’s fate, drawing parallels with Premier League coaches like Arsenal’s Mikel Arteta, who thrived after slow starts.

He insisted that Ghana’s performances warranted a top group finish, attributing poor outcomes to factors beyond Addo’s control. Shardow called for a broader evaluation of the coach’s impact, urging patience and perspective.