Charles Akonnor rules himself out of contention to replace Otto Addo as Ghana coach
Ghana removed Otto Addo from his role as Black Stars head coach, with slightly more than two months left before the major international event. This move happened soon after a 2-1 defeat against Germany in Stuttgart, Ghanas fourth loss in a row during preparation matches, featuring a 5-1 loss to Austria.
A statement on the Ghana FA official website declared, “The Ghana Football Association have parted ways with the head coach of the senior men’s national team (Black Stars), Otto Addo effective immediately.”
After the removal, multiple candidates began surfacing as potential successors to the 50-year-old, during his second period leading the Black Stars. Addo previously took the Black Stars to the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, and more recently helped them qualify for this years competition.
Akonnor, who coached the Black Stars between 2020 and 2021, appeared among the initial names connected to the open position.
The 52-year-old, with 51 caps for the Ghana national team and 13 goals scored, has declined interest in the opportunity.
‘My focus is Gor Mahia’
“I am with Gor Mahia. I’m very happy. I’m doing well,” Akonnor shared with reporters regarding the empty Ghana position, following their FKF Premier League game versus Kariobangi Sharks at Nyayo Stadium on Saturday.
“We are competing for the championship, and my attention remains there, with nothing taking priority over it. I served as the national team coach before. Any association is positive.
“It is not negative at all. It is positive. As a Ghanaian, I cherish my nation. I support the national team. I will back them during the World Cup. That is my stance for now. However, my priority stays with Gor Mahia.”
Akonnor assumed control of Kenyas most successful club on a two-year contract starting August 1, 2025, to steer them through the 2025-26 campaign. His appointment aimed to boost the teams results after a season without trophies in 2024-25.
With Akonnor in charge, Gor Mahia top the FKF Premier League standings with 57 points from 26 games. They lead rivals AFC Leopards by two points, the latter holding 55 points from 27 matches.
Even after the stalemate with Sharks, Akonnor, whose playing days began in Ghana with youth side Young Hearts, then Okwawu United, and later Obuasi Goldfields, expressed belief that Gor Mahia were set to win back the league crown.
“The match could have swung in any direction. They (Sharks) created scoring opportunities, and either team might have dropped points. Thus, the outcome feels balanced,” Akonnor commented.
“The opposition plays their style effectively. They disrupted us and prevented us from finding rhythm, giving them credit. The opening half lacked quality, and we aimed to push forward more aggressively in the second, but it did not happen that way.
“Gaining one point works fine, a reasonable result. Yet, we did not perform as usual, and I felt unsatisfied personally with the display. The key positive is avoiding defeat.
“We accept the outcome positively. We secure the point and turn attention to upcoming fixtures.”
The Black Stars enter the World Cup in Group L, joined by Panama, England, and Croatia.
The event runs from June 11 to July 19, hosted across sixteen cities, eleven in the United States, three in Mexico, and two in Canada.
This edition marks the first time the FIFA World Cup involves three host countries, and features 48 teams, up from the previous 32.