Speaker Bagbin criticizes Otto Addo’s tactics in Germany friendly, questions sacking timing

Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin has launched a scathing critique of the tactical decisions made by former Black Stars coach Otto Addo during Ghana’s 2-1 pre-World Cup friendly defeat to Germany, describing the performance as “not coaching.”

Speaking at the launch of the 2026 Democracy Cup in Parliament on Wednesday, Bagbin questioned the timing of Addo’s dismissal, which came just hours after the loss to Germany—barely two months before the World Cup.

“I was actually surprised when I heard that the coach was axed,” Bagbin said.

While acknowledging that Addo made mistakes, the Speaker, who described himself as a former player and coach, singled out the timing of substitutions as particularly indefensible.

“You can’t explain why you are making substitutions with one minute left when you’ve been a goal down for quite a long time and when it was visible that the center was not holding,” he stated.

Bagbin argued that such late changes are only justifiable when a team is protecting a lead.

“This is unpardonable. You only do that when you want to manage time and you are leading. When you are leading, you are winning, then get into the last minute, you manage time and use that to change and disorganise your opponent. So by the time they get up, time is up and then you win,” he explained.

Drawing on his own footballing background, Bagbin offered further tactical critique regarding Ghana’s attacking setup.

“When you have a short striker in front of you, the first measure is the speed of that striker as against the defenders. Then you know how to spin the ball and which direction to spin the ball for that striker to go and pick,” he said.

“What happened yesterday is no coaching. I’m telling you.”

Addo was dismissed following a high-level meeting that included Sports Minister Kofi Adams, Ghana Football Association President Kurt Okraku, and members of the Executive Council. His departure came after consecutive friendly defeats, including a 5-1 loss to Austria three days prior to the Germany match.