‘We must believe in our own’ – Ex-Ghana coach Otto Addo

Former Ghana coach Otto Addo believes African coaches showed why they are as good as any coaches following their impressive performance at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.

All five African representatives at the global showpiece were led by local coaches for the first time with Addo handling Ghana, Walid Regragui with Morocco, Aliou Cisse (Senegal), Ribogert Song (Cameroon) and Jalel Kadri handled Tunisia.

Regragui led Morocco to the semi-final of the World Cup, becoming the first African team to achieve the feat and Addo believes the improved performances were proof of how good African coaches are.

“I think you could see the impact of the [African] coaches being connected to the country,” Addo told Forbes. “Also, tactically the teams were well prepared.”

“It [sends] the message to create, not only your own players, but taking the next step to create your own coaches. And also, for the federations to believe in the coaches.”

“This hopefully inspires other coaches in Africa to believe in themselves, to grow and maybe to get a chance to represent their country.”

“Our history plays a big part in this. When I look at Ghana, and this is what has been taught to my parents, it’s always everything good is from Europe.”

“People find it easier to believe people from Europe when they come with a project or with an interesting idea than somebody who comes from your own country.”

“People have to believe in themselves and also believe in their own people. We are role models. So, if the FA puts in an African or Ghanaian coach like me, then people will see it and they will believe, ‘if he can do it, I can do it as well.”

Otto Addo left his role as Ghana coach following the team’s exit from the 2022 World Cup.

Ghana finished bottom of Group H with three points after losing to Portugal and Uruguay, having beaten South Korea in between.