The Ghana Football Association (GFA) and the Ministry of Sports and Recreation have formed a five-man Search Committee to find a new head coach for the Black Stars, the country's senior national team. The committee is chaired by Fred Pappoe, a former Vice-President of the GFA, who brings vast experience in football administration and governance. The decision was made after a successful meeting between the GFA leadership and the Ministry on Friday, October 2, 2026, in Accra.
The Search Committee consists of four other distinguished members, including Anthony Baffoe, General Secretary of the Professional Footballers Association of Ghana (PFAG) and former Ghana International; Agbesi Dzakpasu (Esq.), a Legal Practitioner and football administrator; Stephen Appiah, former Black Stars Captain; and Faisal Chibsah, a High-Performance Specialist. The committee's terms of reference include identifying, evaluating, and recommending a suitable candidate for the vacant Black Stars coaching role.
The Black Stars coaching position became vacant on Thursday, October 1, 2026, following the resignation of Portuguese trainer Carlos Queiroz after the September international window. The GFA and the Ministry have assured Ghanaians of a transparent and merit-based process to secure a competent coach to lead the Black Stars in their upcoming assignments. The committee is expected to submit its report to the Ghana Football Association.
Fred Pappoe's appointment as chairman of the Search Committee is seen as a strategic move, given his experience in football administration and governance. As a former Vice-President of the GFA, Pappoe has a deep understanding of the football landscape in Ghana and is well-positioned to lead the search for a new coach. His committee will have to work closely with the GFA and the Ministry to ensure that the next coach is appointed based on merit and suitability for the role.
The Search Committee will have to consider several factors when evaluating potential candidates, including their coaching experience, tactical acumen, and ability to work with the team. The committee will also have to ensure that the next coach is able to lead the team to success in the upcoming assignments, including the 2026 World Cup qualifiers. The GFA and the Ministry are under pressure to appoint a coach who can restore the team's fortunes and bring success to Ghanaian football.
The appointment of a new coach is seen as a critical step in reviving the Black Stars, who have struggled in recent years. The team's performance has been inconsistent, and the resignation of Carlos Queiroz has created an opportunity for the GFA and the Ministry to re-strategize and appoint a coach who can lead the team to success. The Search Committee has a crucial role to play in identifying the right candidate for the job.
The GFA and the Ministry have promised to ensure a smooth transition and have assured Ghanaians that the appointment of the new coach will be made based on merit and suitability. The Search Committee, led by Fred Pappoe, will work closely with the GFA and the Ministry to identify a coach who can lead the Black Stars to success in the future.
Key points
- The Ghana Football Association has formed a five-man Search Committee to find a new head coach for the Black Stars.
- Fred Pappoe, a former Vice-President of the GFA, will chair the Search Committee.
- The committee is expected to submit its report to the Ghana Football Association, ensuring a transparent and merit-based process.
