Former Ghana defender Anthony Baffoe has declined an invitation to serve on the committee tasked with finding the next Black Stars head coach. According to Citi Sports, Baffoe was named as one of five members of the committee, alongside former Black Stars captain Stephen Appiah, FIFA high performance specialist Faisal Chibsah, and football administrator Agbesi Dzakpasu. The committee is chaired by former Ghana Football Association (GFA) vice-president Fred Pappoe.
The committee was formed following a meeting between the Ministry of Sports and Recreation and the GFA on Friday, 2 October, after Carlos Queiroz stepped down as Black Stars coach. Ghana's poor start to the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers led to Queiroz's resignation. The committee has been tasked with identifying, assessing, and recommending a suitable candidate for the vacant position, with its report expected by Friday, 9 October.
However, Citi Sports reports that Baffoe had not accepted the appointment before his name was announced publicly. The former Ghana international, who previously served as CAF deputy general secretary, is said not to have been properly consulted before being included on the committee. As a result, he has communicated his decision not to serve on the committee.
Baffoe's decision is understood to be linked to concerns about the broader approach to football development in Ghana rather than a lack of commitment to the Black Stars or Ghanaian football. This development comes at a difficult time for the national team, which opened their 2027 AFCON qualifying campaign with a 2-0 defeat by Côte d'Ivoire.
The Black Stars then suffered a 4-2 home loss to The Gambia, leaving Ghana bottom of Group C without a point after two matches. The team will face Somalia in their next qualifier in November as they attempt to revive their campaign and secure a return to the AFCON tournament after missing the 2025 edition in Morocco.
Ghana's search for a new coach is ongoing, with the committee working to identify a suitable candidate. The committee members, including Stephen Appiah, Faisal Chibsah, Agbesi Dzakpasu, and chairman Fred Pappoe, will assess and recommend a candidate for the vacant position.
The Black Stars' poor performance in the 2027 AFCON qualifiers has raised concerns about the team's prospects. With a new coach, Ghana will look to improve their performance and qualify for the AFCON tournament.
Key points
- Anthony Baffoe declines role on committee due to concerns about football development approach.
- Ghana's Black Stars are bottom of Group C after two matches in the 2027 AFCON qualifiers.
- The committee has until 9 October to submit its report and recommend a new coach.
