Claim: Black Stars coach, Otto-Addo has disclosed in a Facebook post that his choice of who will be invited into the national team to the 2022 World Cup will be based on the individual’s performance and commitment as well as age.
The coach has denied making any such comment and has disassociated himself from the Facebook page that is claiming to him.
Full Text
A purported Facebook account of Black Stars coach, Otto Addo has stoked controversy with a post on Thursday, August 18 saying that a call-up to the Black Stars for the 2022 World Cup will be based on performance and commitment.
The page, making a definite pronouncement in the name of the coach said, “I am building a new team that will bring back the love and make our motherland proud!”
The post has since received more than 400 reactions, including shares by influential Ghanaian figures, with some of them believing the page is owned by the Black Stars coach as can be seen here and here.
Even more interesting is the timing and tone of the post, which has raised some suspicion.
Ghanaian sports enthusiasts are divided over whether or not former Black Stars captain Asamoah Gyan should be called up into the team for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
The discussion stemmed from a recent interview Gyan granted the BBC, where he expressed his interest to join the team to play at the international tournament.
While some believe that Gyan, 36, should not be allowed into the team, others insist he still has something to offer.
If the post purported to be from Otto Addo is true, it takes a definite position in the ensuing debate.
Verification
According to Facebook’s page transparency feature, the page, with over 93,000 followers, was created only four months ago in April 2022.
While it is publicly known that the coach is largely based in Germany due to his other major commitment as assistant Borussia Dortmund coach in Germany, Facebook’s page transparency feature further shows that the page is being managed in Ghana by at least two Ghana-based Facebook profiles.
Phone number traces conducted on +49 231 900200, which was listed on the purported Facebook page as Otto Addo’s contacted number revealed that it was a landline operated in or around Dortmund in Germany.
Otto Addo in a WhatsApp conversation with Dubawa Ghana editor, Nathan Gadugah has disassociated himself from the page and its content.
He further revealed that he has no official public social media account except on Instagram.
Conclusion
The Facebook page purporting to be Black Stars coach, Otto Addo is fake and does not in any way represent the person of the football manager.
