President of the Ghana Olympic Committee (GOC), Ben Nunoo Mensah, believes James Kwasi Appiah would have been a more suitable choice than Otto Addo as the Black Stars’ head coach.

Addo, who stepped down following Ghana's early exit from the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, was reappointed by the Ghana Football Association (GFA) in March on a three-year contract, with a potential two-year extension.

The former Borussia Dortmund coach has come under heavy criticism despite beginning his second tenure with promising results—including back-to-back victories against Mali and the Central African Republic in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.

However, Ghana's failure to secure qualification for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), finishing last in Group F with only three points from six matches has sparked widespread dissatisfaction and calls for his dismissal.

Speaking on the issue, Nunoo Mensah criticised the decision not to reappoint Appiah after Chris Hughton’s departure, which followed Ghana’s group-stage elimination in the 2023 AFCON in Ivory Coast.

“In my opinion, Kwesi Appiah has been one of Ghana’s best coaches over the years, and it was unfortunate how his tenure ended," he stated in an interview with Asempa FM.

"When the opportunity came to bring him back, we overlooked him. Given the financial constraints we face, it makes sense to prioritize local options."

He also highlighted the historical success of Ghanaian coaches, noting that most of the nation’s AFCON titles were won under local leadership and for greater investment in developing local coaching talent to match international standards.

"Why don’t we nurture our own talent to reach the levels of coaches like Pep Guardiola? Local coaches have proven their worth and dedication to the country," he added.

Appiah served as the Black Stars’ head coach from 2012 to 2014 and again from 2017 to 2020. During his first stint, he made history as the first Ghanaian coach to guide the team to World Cup qualification in 2014.

As the GFA’s Executive Council reviews Ghana’s failure to qualify for the 2025 AFCON, Addo’s future as head coach remains uncertain.