Former Black Stars captain Andre Dede Ayew says the dismissal of two-time Black Stars coach Otto Addo was long overdue.

He was sacked right after Ghana’s international friendlies in late March, after Ghana lost 5–1 to Austria on March 27 and suffered another 2–1 defeat to Germany on March 30.

Andre Dede Ayew made his remarks on Otto Addo’s dismissal on August 23, during an appearance on the Obi One Podcast hosted by former Nigeria and Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel.

According to him, the Ghana Football Association (GFA) should have sacked him right after the consecutive poor displays and after he failed to lead the Black Stars to the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). That was the first time in about 2 decades since Ghana failed to qualify for the continental tournament.

"When it comes to [the sacking of] Otto Addo, it was a call that maybe should have happened a long way before. "I think when you are Ghana, and you don't qualify for the AFCON, you can't go further; that's my point of view.

"I know him; I've played under him when he was an assistant and as a coach. But after that, he was able to qualify us for the World Cup. So then, it balances.

"Then there were about five or six friendly matches; just after that, we lost all, and now it becomes a bit tangible, and that is where I think everybody becomes important in this moment."

Carlos Queiroz took over from Otto Addo barely 3 months ahead of the World Cup. Carlos Queiroz’s deal with the Ghana Football Association (GFA) was a short‑term four‑month contract (April–July 2026), specifically designed to guide the Black Stars into the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Canada, Mexico, and the USA, with his stay subject to his performance after the tournament.

After Ghana’s Round of 32 exit to Colombia on July 3, Queiroz released a statement on June 22, 2026, at a press conference in Boston, USA, which was widely reported as his resignation however following GFA’s denial of having any knowledge of his resignation, he later came to deny the statement was a resignation but rather labelled it as an appreciation message to the local football governing body.

By July 12–14, reports from GHANAsoccernet and interviews with Sports Minister Kofi Adams (3FM, Accra) revealed that both the GFA and the Ministry of Sports were in talks to extend his stay.

Ayew and other stakeholders have backed a two‑year contract extension, which would see Queiroz lead Ghana into the AFCON 2027 qualifiers and attempt to end the 45‑year AFCON trophy drought (last won in 1982).