Ghana's national football team, the Black Stars, suffered a significant setback in their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying campaign with a 4-2 defeat to The Gambia at the Accra Sports Stadium. The loss followed their opening match, where they were beaten 2-0 by Côte d'Ivoire in Bouaké. These consecutive defeats have put pressure on the team's coach, Carlos Queiroz, with some calling for his resignation.
In response to the mounting pressure, Queiroz stated that his future with the Ghana national team depends on the Ghana Football Association (GFA), God, and the team's results. He emphasized that resigning would be an easy solution but does not believe it would address the broader issues facing Ghanaian football. The Portuguese coach has a history of dealing with high-pressure situations, having managed teams like Portugal and Iran.
Queiroz defended his coaching record, highlighting that one defeat does not define him as a coach. He pointed out that despite the loss, he still holds the top record for the most wins in international football. The coach emphasized that setbacks are opportunities for growth and learning, stating, "In my life, I have always had one very simple approach in football. Some coaches admit they lose. I never admit that I lose. I had a result that was not positive."
The coach's approach to setbacks focuses on learning from mistakes rather than viewing defeats as failures. Queiroz believes that Ghana can use the loss to identify areas for improvement ahead of their remaining AFCON qualifiers. He noted that in the first half against The Gambia, Ghana played well, taking a 2-0 lead and controlling the game.
The momentum of the game shifted after two incidents in the first half, according to Queiroz. Despite being in control, Ghana conceded, allowing The Gambia to mount a comeback and win 4-2. This result leaves Ghana without a point from their opening two Group C matches, increasing pressure on the Black Stars for their upcoming fixtures.
The GFA will ultimately decide Queiroz's future, along with the team's performance in the qualifiers. The coach expressed his commitment to working with the team to improve and achieve positive results. His experience and record in international football are seen as assets for the Black Stars.
The defeat to The Gambia has sparked criticism, with some fans and politicians calling for the disbandment of the Black Stars and the sacking of the GFA. Despite this, Queiroz remains focused on the team's goals and is working to address the issues that led to the recent losses.
Key points
- - Carlos Queiroz says his future as Black Stars coach depends on the GFA, God, and the team's results. - The coach believes resigning would not solve the problems facing Ghanaian football. - Ghana faces increased pressure ahead of their remaining AFCON qualifiers after two consecutive defeats.
