Ghana’s head coach, Otto Addo, and his assistant coaches, John Paintsil and Fatau Dauda, were involved in a car accident on the Tarkwa-Takoradi road on Saturday, August 31, 2024. Fortunately, they escaped serious injury.

The trio was returning to Accra after attending the “Champion of Champions” match between FC Samartex and Nsoatreman FC at the new TNA Sports Stadium. Images shared on social media show significant damage to their vehicle, a Land Cruiser with registration number GR 6521-21.

According to eyewitnesses, the accident occurred when a pickup truck veered into their lane, prompting the Land Cruiser’s driver to make a quick maneuver to avoid a head-on collision. The back wheels of the vehicle unexpectedly detached, but the driver’s swift action averted a potentially disastrous outcome.

In a video from the scene, a voice believed to be John Paintsil’s reported that they sustained no major injuries but would require time to fully assess their condition. The coaches and the driver have been taken to a hospital in Takoradi for precautionary medical checks before continuing their journey to Accra.

The accident comes as the Black Stars prepare for their upcoming 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, starting with a match against Angola on Thursday, September 5, 2024, at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium.