Black Stars head coach Otto Addo has dismissed concerns about his job security despite mounting pressure following a disappointing 1-1 draw against Chad in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers on September 4, 2025.
Speaking ahead of Ghana’s critical match against Mali on Monday, September 8, at the Accra Sports Stadium, Addo rejected the relevance of his record, which shows only five wins in 15 matches since his return as coach, with five losses and five draws.
“These statistics of my wins and losses are of no use. I’m not afraid of anything, not even getting sacked,” Addo stated, emphasizing that Ghana remains atop Group I with 16 points, just one point ahead of second-placed Comoros. “We are still on top of Group I, so nothing has changed. Game by game, there will be no underrating of any team.”
The draw against Chad, where Ghana squandered a lead due to a late equalizer, exposed vulnerabilities in Addo’s squad, particularly in finishing, despite dominating possession and creating numerous chances. With Mali, third in Group I with 12 points, coming off a 3-0 victory over Comoros, the upcoming match is pivotal for Ghana to solidify their position and maintain their qualification hopes for the 2026 World Cup in the USA, Canada, and Mexico.
Addo, backed by a 24-man squad including key players like Jordan Ayew, Mohammed Kudus, and Antoine Semenyo, faces additional challenges with Thomas Partey listed as a doubt, Elisha Owusu suspended, and Ibrahim Sulemana ruled out due to injury. However, the return of Alexander Djiku and Joseph Paintsil to training offers a boost. The match, set for a 19:00 GMT kickoff, will test Ghana’s resilience as they aim to leverage home support to secure a vital win.
