Ghana coach Otto Addo has dismissed calls for his resignation following the Black Stars’ failure to qualify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), marking the team’s first absence from the tournament since 2004.

Ghana’s hopes were dashed after a 2-1 defeat to Niger in their final Group F qualifier. Despite mounting criticism, Addo insisted he remains committed to his role.

“I’m not the person who can resign. If I had done this, I’d never have become a player or even a coach,” he said in his post-match comments. “People shouting and telling me to resign can’t affect me. If you know where I’ve come from to get here, you wouldn’t even ask about resignation.”

Addo admitted his team struggled with defending set pieces, a recurring weakness that proved costly against Niger.

“We started okay but conceded a goal from a set piece. We were aware because the last time we met, they scored from a corner. Surely, we have to defend these set pieces better,” he acknowledged. “It seems everything is going against us.”

The coach, however, highlighted some positives, particularly the performances of debutant players, whom he felt justified their inclusion.

“There are some positives, especially from players who hadn’t played before but did well today,” he noted.

Addo also called on fans and the media to back the team rather than dwell on criticism, stressing that the players had given their all.

The defeat has left Ghanaian football fans questioning the future of the national team, with calls growing louder for changes at both coaching and administrative levels.

Source:TheDotNews