Otto Addo will lead Ghana in Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup after reaching agreement with GFA
Interim boss Otto Addo has reportedly agreed to a one-year contract with the Ghana Football Association (GFA). The new move will see Otto Addo take the Black Stars to Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup in November.
After guiding the Black Stars to the tournament at the expense of Nigeria, the former Ghana international recently resumed work at Dortmund for a trainer scout role.
Otto Addo 🇬🇭 is back at Dortmund!
The smile says it all 😁#GhanaSoccerNet pic.twitter.com/q96SIvIVCO
— Ghanasoccernet.com (@Ghanasoccernet) April 13, 2022
Otto Addo was appointed the interim Ghana coach in February after Milovan Rajevac was fired due to poor AFCON performance in Cameroon in January.
Addo’s immediate task was to qualify Ghana to the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar after the Black Stars were handed Nigeria in the playoff stage. The Ghanaian trainer rose to the occasion leading the Black Stars to a 1-1 aggregate score line against the Super Green Eagles.
After the Nigeria clash, Addo was in the mix with a couple of top coaches for the demanding Black Stars coaching job with current technical director Chris Hughton, AFCON winner Hervé Renard and former boss Claude Le Roy linked with the job.
Latest reports on Thursday morning suggest Borussia Dortmund man Otto Addo is the likeliest candidate to land the job but on a short term. Addo has reportedly agreed a year contract with the GFA, possibly a deal suited for the 46-year old to lead Ghana to the FIFA World Cup beginning in seven months later.
According to reports, Addo will be named substantive coach, with support from assistant coaches Mas-Ud Didi Dramani and George Boateng as well as Chris Hughton who is the technical advisor.
When this happens, no major changes occur from the structure that crushed out Nigeria in the final qualifying round.
Earlier this week, GFA communications director, Henry Asante Twum, has stated that the GFA will soon announce the appointment of a substantive coach for the Black Stars.
“I do not think it will take much time. They are in communication with the individuals concerned, having regular discussions with their employers, and many factors are being considered. But, again, the government of Ghana is the employer of the coach of the Black Stars and here is the case where we had four coaches qualifying us for the World Cup.
“In terms of contractual engagement, a lot will go into it, so it’s tough to discuss these things. So, engagements are still ongoing, and I’m sure we will communicate our position as soon as a decision is made,” Twum said on Luv FM.
Addo took over as Ghana coach after Milovan Rajevac failed to advance to the last 16 of the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon, finishing bottom of their group.
Ghana have been placed in Group H, along with Portugal, Uruguay, and South Korea. Ghana’s chances are slim with Portugal and Uruguay group favourites. However, the West African side can pulled a surprise having done similar in 2006 and 2010.
Ghana’s chances for World Cup 1/16 will be further boosted if they strengthened their squad with other nationals of Ghanaian descent. While this is a smart ideal, the GFA have began approach to win nationality of Arsenal forward Eddie Nketiah, Chelsea winger Callum Hudson Odoi, Atletico Bilbao attacker Inaki Williams and Brighton defender Tariq Lamptey.
GFA’s journey the win those players has been brightened since the Black Stars qualified for the Qatar FIFA World Cup after all players together with some others willing to overlook their likely countries for Ghana.
Prior to the Nigeria playoff clash, Otto Addo could not turned down the chance to coach the Black Stars, claiming the GFA’s request was honour.
“When the request came, I didn’t have to think twice, this is an honor for me,” Addo told local Dortmund newspaper Ruhr Nachrichten shortly after his appointment as Ghana’s interim boss was announced.
