John Paintsil and Fatau Dauda, both former Ghana international footballers, are likely to lose their roles as assistant coaches for the Black Stars following the team's disappointing failure to qualify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). These changes come after a series of challenges the Black Stars faced during their AFCON qualification campaign, where they ended up finishing at the bottom of Group F with just three points, gained from three draws and three losses. This marks the first time in two decades that Ghana, a four-time African champion, will miss the continental football tournament.
Paintsil and Dauda were appointed to the Black Stars' technical team earlier in 2024 when Otto Addo returned to manage the team. Addo had taken over as head coach in March 2024, and both Paintsil and Dauda were entrusted with key roles as the assistant coach and goalkeepers’ trainer, respectively. However, following the team's lackluster performance in the qualification rounds, the Ghana Football Association (GFA) has been under pressure to reevaluate the coaching staff. This review was conducted last week to assess Otto Addo’s performance and overall technical report.
As part of the evaluation, the GFA is considering major changes to the Black Stars' technical team, which could result in the dismissal of both Paintsil and Dauda. Reports indicate that Otto Addo himself requested upgrades to his backroom staff during a recent meeting with the GFA Executive Council. This move is seen as a way to address the team's underperformance and improve the Black Stars' prospects moving forward. It is understood that Addo wants more experienced and capable individuals on his staff to ensure better preparation for upcoming international fixtures.
The Black Stars’ failure to qualify for the 2025 AFCON has caused significant criticism from both fans and analysts alike, and the GFA is keen to make swift changes to improve the team's future performance. The disappointment surrounding the team's early exit from the qualifiers has led to intense scrutiny of the technical team’s decisions and strategies during the campaign. Despite the setback, the Black Stars are looking ahead to future international matches, with their next challenge coming in March 2025, when they will face Chad and Madagascar in the qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The potential overhaul of the Black Stars' technical staff is expected to play a key role in shaping the team’s preparations for the World Cup qualifiers. The GFA hopes that with these changes, the team can regroup, focus on rebuilding, and work towards securing a spot in the prestigious global tournament. As the search for new coaching staff begins, the focus will shift toward ensuring that the Black Stars are better equipped for the challenges ahead.
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