Former Sports Minister Edwin Nii Lante Vanderpuye has expressed concerns over the appointment process of Carlos Queiroz as head coach of Ghana's national football team, the Black Stars. Vanderpuye's comments come after Ghana's disappointing start to their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying campaign, with two consecutive losses. The team's poor performance has raised questions about Queiroz's suitability for the role.
Ghana's AFCON qualifying campaign got off to a disastrous start with a 2-0 defeat to Ivory Coast, followed by a 4-2 loss to The Gambia at the Accra Sports Stadium. The Black Stars took a 2-0 lead against The Gambia but failed to hold on, suffering a damaging defeat. These results have left Ghana without a point in Group C, increasing pressure on coach Carlos Queiroz.
Vanderpuye, who served as Sports Minister from 2015 to 2017, questioned the transparency of the process used by the Ghana Football Association (GFA) to appoint Queiroz. He expressed skepticism about the sudden appointment of the Portuguese coach, citing over 99 applications for the position. Vanderpuye's concerns have sparked debate about the appointment process and Queiroz's qualifications.
Vanderpuye also questioned whether Queiroz's profile was suited to the type of team Ghana wanted to build. He expressed doubts about the coach's age and suitability for the Black Stars, suggesting that the team's needs may not have been considered during the appointment process. Queiroz replaced Otto Addo earlier this year and guided Ghana to qualification for the 2026 World Cup.
Despite guiding Ghana to the 2026 World Cup, Queiroz is under increasing pressure after the team's poor start to the AFCON qualifiers. The Black Stars are seeking to return to the AFCON after failing to qualify for the 2025 tournament in Morocco. Ghana's next qualifying assignment is in October, when they face Somalia in a double-header at the Accra Sports Stadium.
Vanderpuye's comments have added to the scrutiny of Queiroz's appointment and the team's performance. The former Sports Minister's concerns about the appointment process and Queiroz's qualifications have sparked a national conversation about Ghana's football leadership. The team's poor performance has raised questions about the team's direction and the need for change.
The Black Stars will look to regroup and bounce back from their disappointing start to the AFCON qualifiers. With their next match in October, Ghana will aim to turn their campaign around and get back on track. The team's performance will be closely watched, and the pressure on coach Carlos Queiroz will continue to build.
Key points
- Ex-Sports Minister Edwin Nii Lante Vanderpuye questions Carlos Queiroz's appointment as Black Stars coach.
- Ghana suffers a poor start to their 2027 AFCON qualifying campaign with two consecutive losses.
- The Black Stars face Somalia in their next qualifying assignment in October.
