Otto Addo, Assistant Coaches Escape Death

Ghana’s head coach Otto Addo and his assistants, John Paintsil and Fatau Dauda, were involved in a serious road accident but emerged unharmed, the Ghana Football Association (GFA) confirmed on Sunday.

The accident occurred on the Tarkwa-Takoradi road while the coaching trio was returning to Accra after observing the Champion of Champions match between Samartex and Nsoatreman in Tarkwa, on Saturday, August 31, 2024, where Samartex secured a 1-0 victory.

Social media images revealed the extensive damage to their vehicle, with goalkeepers’ trainer Fatau Dauda seen walking past the wreckage.

According to the GFA statement, the team’s “vehicle avoided a head-on collision with a pickup truck which veered off into its lane, causing some damage to the vehicle. We are happy to report that all three members of the technical team are in stable condition and will undergo further medical assessments, as a precautionary measure, upon their return to Accra,”

Despite the alarming incident, the coaching staff is expected to be fit for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers. Ghana is scheduled to play against Angola in Kumasi on Thursday, September 5, and then travel to Morocco for their second qualifier against Niger.

The GFA expressed confidence in the technical team’s readiness for the crucial qualifiers, stating, “We are confident that the technical team will be in good shape and ready to lead the Black Stars in the upcoming AFCON qualifiers against Angola and Niger. We appreciate the concern shown by the public and ask for your continued support and prayers as we prepare for these important matches.”