Ghana coach Otto Addo has raised eyebrows with his seemingly uncertain stance on the Black Stars’ captaincy hierarchy ahead of crucial 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers against Angola and Niger.
The leadership structure of the team has been a topic of discussion since Addo’s permanent appointment as head coach.
The previously established hierarchy, which saw Andre Ayew as captain, Thomas Partey as first vice-captain, and Richard Ofori as second vice-captain, appears to have been quietly dismantled.
Neither Ayew nor Ofori has received a call-up since Addo took the helm permanently, leaving questions about the team’s leadership.
The situation became more perplexing during the earlier international fixtures in March. When Partey was absent for friendlies against Nigeria and Uganda in March, Jordan Ayew stepped in as captain.
However, Partey’s return for the 2025 World Cup qualifiers against Mali and Central African Republic saw him retain the armband.
When quizzed on the issue during the Black Stars squad press conference on Thursday, Addo’s response was notably vague.
“First of all, I hope that Thomas won’t get injured,” he began, before listing several players as potential stand-ins. “Surely with Alexander Djiku, Mohammed Kudus, and Mohammed Salisu, we have experienced players who can replace him as captain.”
This statement has Ghanaians wondering about the current state of Ghana’s captaincy. The mention of multiple players as potential leaders, without a clear hierarchy, suggests a possible shift towards a more fluid leadership model.
However, it also raises questions about team cohesion and the importance of established leadership roles within the squad.
