Laryea Kingston: Otto Addo deserves another chance to finish World Cup qualifiers

Former Ghana international Laryea Kingston says under-fire Black Stars coach Otto Addo deserves another chance amid calls for his dismissal.

Calls for Otto Addo’s sacking have intensified after the Black Stars failed to qualify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.

In an interview with Flashscore, Kingston argued that making a coaching change at this stage would be a “disaster” and believes that Addo should be allowed to lead Ghana through the World Cup qualifiers.

Kingston admitted the frustration and disappointment following Ghana’s failure to qualify for the 2025 AFCON – the first time in two decades the Black Stars will miss the tournament.

Ghana finished the qualifiers with three points from six games, failing to win any of their matches and scoring just three goals, which has led to widespread criticism of the team and their coach.

“For me at the moment, we shouldn’t change anything,” Kingston said. “I think Otto is even disappointed in himself. And I believe by now he’s trying to ask himself questions about what really happened and what he can do to improve it.”

James Kwesi Appiah and Sudan will play at the 2025 AFCON while Ghana's struggles continue.

Here's a look at what Appiah went through to make it happen. #3SportsGH pic.twitter.com/JAV1yJCh2v

— #3Sports (@3SportsGh) November 19, 2024

Kingston, who is well aware of the pressures of coaching at the highest level, highlighted the need for continuity rather than another managerial change. “If we change the coach and the technical team and bring new faces, it will be a disaster,” he stated.

According to Kingston, allowing Addo to finish the World Cup qualifiers, suggests that there may still be a chance for Ghana to qualify. Black Stars are joint top in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers with six games remaining.

“I think we should allow him to at least finish the World Cup qualifiers – who knows? Maybe he can qualify. And then after that, we make a decision as a country. So we should give him another opportunity.”

The Ghana Football Association (GFA) Executive Council is scheduled to meet on Wednesday to discuss the performance of the Black Stars, with the outcome of the meeting potentially influencing the future of Otto Addo’s tenure as coach.

The post Laryea Kingston: Otto Addo deserves another chance to finish World Cup qualifiers first appeared on 3News.

Read Full Story