2026 World Cup Qualifiers: Two wins for Otto Addo keeps Ghana’s American Dream alive
The Second Coming of Otto Addo is here and off to a flying start after back-to-back wins in the 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers. Otto oversaw his first competitive games after making his return as Ghana’s head coach since leading the team in the 2022 World Cup qualifying playoff and the tournament proper. The former Borussia Dortmund talent coach took over from Chris Hughton after yet another disastrous AFCON and a string of bad performances rescued by the individual brilliances of key players. Ghanaian fans know from experience that “Second comings don’t end well” after former coach Kwasi Appiah’s second stint ended badly. The skepticism was valid but Otto Addo quickly won the hearts of Ghanains after those two crucial wins and given the people reason to dream again.
The wins over Mali and Central African Republic (CAR) were a much needed response after a poor start to the qualifying rounds under Hughton. A last-gasp home win against Madagascar and a loss away to Comoros left the Black Stars of Ghana in 4th place in Group I, where the group winners gain an automatic spot in the expanded 2026 World Cup.
The upcoming World Cup in America has been touted by Ghanaians as a “life-changing” tournament where many believe it could provide them with opportunities mostly economic, to escape a country that is falling apart with each passing day. Missing the World Cup is not an option for Ghanaians. People’s visas are on the line.
There is a lot to unpack after these two matches, improved performances and persisting problems. Let’s dive in:
Bold Decisions
Whenever a new coach takes the Black Stars job, one of the expectations Ghanaians have is that they make bold decisions. This time Otto Addo made a BIG call with his squad selection opting to leave out long-time captain and veteran Andre Ayew. Many have been calling for his exclusion for so long and his poor showing at the recent AFCON was the last straw.
This decision still divided many because Andre had been on form with his club side Le Havre in the French Ligue 1, scoring 5 goals in 19 appearances, helping them avoid relegation. One side believed that he merited a call-up based on his form and experience whereas the other side believed it was for the best and that it was time to usher in the new era and allow the young core of the team to fly. According to reports, the decision did not go well with Andre. Otto Addo explained, “ it’s my decision, it’s our coaching staff’s decision”, which was exactly what Ghanaians wanted to hear: a coach making the big decisions and sticking to them, not folding to external influences.
The squad saw the return of Abdul Mumin, Fatawu Issahaku and Kamaldeen Sulemana, and a debut call-ups for striker Brandon Thomas Asante and midfieler Ibrahim Sulemana. Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey was tasked with leading the team as captain, a chance for him to demonstrate his leadership.
Signs on the Pitch
Otto Addo’s first tests as were friendlies against Nigeria and Uganda back in March which ended in a 2–1 loss and a 2–2 draw respectively. In those two matches, there were visible patterns of Otto’s philosophy on the pitch: a proactive possession-game with short passing and rotations in disrupting the opposition’s shape and getting into goal-scoring positions. He also showed his tactical flexibility in adapting his team’s approach based on the opponent, and his ability to make adjustments in-game. In the 2022 World Cup where he switched between a 3–4–3 and a 4–2–3–1 depending on the oppositon, deciding between sitting deep and playing on the counter-attack, or being more proactive in their approach.
Against Mali away in Bamako, a game where a draw would have been a favourable result, the Black Stars stunned Les Aigles with a 2–1 win. Ghana lined up in a 3–4–3 with a defence-first mentality and utilising attacking transitions. The plan was clear: survive the Malian attacks and get away with a draw; a win would be a bonus. The biggest surprise in the lineup was Jordan Ayew starting from the bench. Jordan Ayew, like his brother Andre has been under-fire and despite calls to be dropped from the squad, retained his place in the team. This was a bold call by Otto as every lineup had always included one or both the Ayew brothers barring any injuries or suspensions.
This was a game of two halves: Mali dominated possession with Ghana on the backfoot, defending for their lives. Mali created numerous scoring opportunities but failed to put them to bed, until chaos in the penalty area led to their goal in the 45' minute of the first half. Ghana were now forced to come out of their shell in the second half and became more adventourous, pushing players forward in search of the equaliser. Ernest Nuamah headed home the equaliser inside 58' minutes and now we had a ball game. The Black Stars became more emboldended in the dying minutes chasing a win, and then the football gods decided to surprise us — Jordan Ayew came off the bench in the 79' minute and completely transformed the game. He created a chance for Thomas Partey who failed capitalise, and Jordan eventually scored the winner in the 90' minute. It was “perfect, down to the last minute detail”. In the words of Karl-Anthony Townes, “this is what movies is made off”. Ghana were runaway winners and moved up to 1st on the table above group leaders Comoros who had a game in hand.
It was not just the Jordan Ayew substitution that made the difference but the others equally impacted the game. Abdul Mumin came in and solidified the defence; Elisha Owusu and Ibrahim Sulemana brought some much needed composure in midfield; and Fatawu Issahaku caused havoc with his direct runs which eventually created the winning goal.
Fatawu Issahaku had been criticised for his unreadiness for the senior level since he burst on to the scene. The former U-20 AFCON winner has been on his redemption arc. A poor start to life in Portugal with Sporting Lisbon saw him sent on loan to English side Leicester City which was the turn of his fortunes and his performances saw Leicester gain promotion back to the English Premier League. He has developed in leaps and bounds and matured as a player and his impact in both matches perfectly encapsulated his transformation. He has a long way to go but it’s looking good.
Fatawu and Jordan came in clutch when their country needed them. I am all for the redemption arcs. These moments are what make football the Beautiful Game.
In this group, Mali were considered THE obstacle between Ghana and that World Cup spot the Black Stars came away victorious, it is still not over as the two will face off in Ghana next year; it was a sweet victory nonetheless.
The Persisting Issues
The win at home against Central African Republic (CAR) was a much needed but exposed the cracks in the team. The match ended in a dramatic 4–3 home win and maintaining the Black Stars’ 24-year unbeaten record at the Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi. Jordan Ayew scored a hattrick on his 100th appearance for the Black Stars and Fatawu Issahaku scoring his first ever at the senior level. Otto Addo went for a more attacking lineup, changing to a 4–2–3–1 with Jordan Ayew, Kamaldeen Sulemana, and Fatawu Issahaku starting.
Ghana’s defensive woes were once again exposed especially in transition which CAR took full advantage off. The first goal conceeded was a pass over the top of the Black Stars’ high defensive line in transition and finished by Louis Mafouta. The second goal was, you guessed it, was scored in transition; Ghana lost possession in midfield and after a quite hilarious attempt at defending, Mafouta scored his second. These defensive errors are nothing new, the Black Stars have been conceeding the same types of goals since the World Cup in 2022 - lapses in concentration, poor defensive organisation, and an inability to defend in transition. The defensive setup of the team is a real cause for concern.
Final Thoughts
Despite the wins, the glaring issues in this team were evident. Otto Addo still has work to do and he knows it. One thing Otto has proven why he was re-hired by the GFA, his in-game management and substitutions have been on point and made an impact on the games; his willingness to make bold calls and his tactical flexibility. There will be much sterner tests but he has shown enough to give Ghanaians some hope.
The players in these two matches showed something that has been lacking for years: fighting spirit. In previous matches, the players instantly gave up after going a goal behind or giving up an equaliser, but this time they showed grit and character and it payed off. In both games, the players turned the tide in the second half. Whatever Otto has been telling the players at half-time is clearly working wonders.
The wins against Mali and CAR have kept Ghana’s qualification hopes alive, Ghanaians want to make this World Cup more than anything where many believe their destiny hinges on qualifying.
Ghana are currently second in Group I and tied on 9 points with leaders Comoros, separated by only goal difference. The Black Stars will continue their qualifying journey in 2025 starting with a home match against Chad who are currently bottom of the group. For the remainder of the year however, the focus will turn to the AFCON 2025 qualifiers starting in September. Qualifying for the AFCON should be straightforward (I hope) but the Otto Addo’s biggest test will be at the tournament proper where his side will face incredibly difficult opponents.
Things look to be heading in the right direction and we hope they keep heading that way. There’s still more football to be played and the Black Stars now have their destiny in their hands.
