Ghana head coach, Otto Addo, has mounted a strong defense of his commitment to the country after overseeing the Black Stars' failure to qualify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.

The Germany-born former Ghana international has come under intense scrutiny after setting an unwanted record by failing to qualify for the AFCON for the first time in 21 years.

Many have called for him to resign, but he has insisted that stepping down is not an option for him at this point in time.

Others have consistently pointed to his refusal to accept the job on a full-time basis after the 2022 World Cup as evidence of his lack of commitment to Ghana.

However, the former Dortmund assistant coach has rejected these claims, saying he has always chosen Ghana over his country of birth.

“I don't even want to go home because when I go home, I will see them [his family] crying," Otto Addo said after Ghana's 2-1 defeat to Niger on Monday in Accra.

"They are very, very sad, and I will be sad as well. I'm also sad. I'm very sad. I'm very sad that Ghanaians are sad. It touches me. It touches me very much.

“There's a different understanding. I don't think you (journalist) will get it because I was born in Germany. For me, coming down here is always with the heart, always.

“You know, there are some others even choosing to switch nationalities for a different country.

“I never had this in my heart, never. I always want to play for Ghana, and I always want to represent Ghana. Always.”

Ghana finished bottom of Group F with three points, 11 behind Angola and five adrift of second-placed Sudan.