Former Black Stars head coach Charles Kwabla Akonnor has clarified that he never called for the dismissal of current coach of the senior national team, Otto Addo, after the team failed to qualify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

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C.K. Akonnor made these remarks in an interview with Citi Sports. He explained that the hiring and sacking of coaches affect the progress of the team and create inconsistencies.

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“I didn’t call for Otto Addo’s sacking after the AFCON qualification setback,” Akonnor said. “The constant hiring and firing can overwhelm the players and disrupt progress,” he detailed.

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For the first time in about two decades, Ghana, four-time African champions, will miss out on the illustrious continental tournament.

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The Black Stars struggled so hard for a qualification; however, they ended the qualification campaign finishing as the last team of their group with just three points from three draws and three defeats; they didn't win a single match.

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The disastrous finishing, which cost them a place in the AFCON, garnered heavy criticism, with many calling for the coach's dismissal.

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The match that ultimately sealed Ghana’s fate was their 1-1 draw against Angola on November 15, 2024, at the November 11th Stadium in Luanda.

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However, after several deliberations with stakeholders and other pundits, the GFA decided to keep him. Since then, he has steadied the ship, guiding Ghana to consecutive wins over Chad and Madagascar in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.

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The Black Stars recently secured a third-place finish in a four-nation tournament in London and are set to regroup in September for World Cup qualifying matches against Chad and Mali on Matchdays 7 and 8.

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About the 2025 AFCON

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The 2025 edition of AFCON is slated for December 21, 2025, to January 18, 2026, in Morocco. This marks the 35th edition of the tournament and the second time Morocco will be the host country after it hosted in 1988.

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Qualified TeamsA total of 24 teams have qualified for AFCON 2025, including:

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Morocco (Hosts)

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Ivory Coast (Defending Champions)

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Egypt

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Nigeria

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Senegal

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Algeria

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Cameroon

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South Africa

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Tunisia

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Mali

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Burkina Faso

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Angola

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Equatorial Guinea

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DR Congo

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Gabon

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Zambia

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Uganda

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Comoros

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Lesotho

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Tanzania

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Benin

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Botswana

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Mozambique

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Gambia

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VenuesThe tournament will be played across six cities in Morocco:

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Casablanca – Mohammed V Stadium

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Rabat – Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium

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Tangier – Ibn Batouta Stadium

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Marrakech – Marrakech Stadium

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Agadir – Adrar Stadium

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Fez – Fez Stadium

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