Former Ghana Football Association (GFA) vice-president George Afriyie has expressed concerns about the decision to establish a committee to find the next Black Stars head coach. The five-member committee, chaired by former GFA vice-president Fred Pappoe, was formed after Carlos Queiroz's departure following Ghana's poor start to the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign. Afriyie believes the GFA should have already identified suitable coaching candidates through long-term planning.
The committee, which includes former Black Stars captain Stephen Appiah, Anthony Baffoe, Faisal Chibsah, and Agbesi Kwadzo Dzakpasu, is expected to submit its recommendations on Friday, 9 October. Afriyie cited France, Ivory Coast, and Senegal as examples of countries that had prepared potential options before appointing new coaches. He mentioned that France had carried out background checks on potential replacements before Didier Deschamps' departure, with Zinedine Zidane among the candidates.
Afriyie also pointed to Ivory Coast's decision to bring in Herve Renard, saying the country already had knowledge of the coach because of his previous work with the national team. He further cited Senegal's reported consideration of former France international Patrick Vieira as evidence of a more structured approach to succession planning. According to Afriyie, Ghana should have a standing pool of coaches who can be considered whenever the Black Stars job becomes vacant.
However, Afriyie rejected attempts to blame Sports and Recreation Minister Kofi Iddie Adams for the current situation, insisting that the responsibility for appointing the national team coach lies primarily with the GFA. He emphasized that the problem is not the minister's problem, but rather the GFA's. Afriyie also dismissed suggestions that the Ministry of Sports has been heavily involved in the appointment of Black Stars coaches since Kurt Okraku became GFA president.
Afriyie challenged claims that members of the latest search committee are representatives of the Sports Ministry. He singled out Agbesi Dzakpasu, pointing out that he has been associated with the GFA since the administration of former president Kwesi Nyantakyi and currently serves as chairman of the GFA Appeals Committee. Afriyie questioned how Dzakpasu's inclusion could be attributed to the ministry, given his long-standing involvement with the GFA.
Queiroz stepped down after Ghana suffered consecutive defeats in their opening two 2027 AFCON qualifying matches. The Black Stars lost 2-0 away to Ivory Coast before suffering a 4-2 defeat by The Gambia at the Accra Sports Stadium. Ghana are now bottom of Group C without a point. The committee is reportedly considering recommending an interim coach to lead the Black Stars in their upcoming double-header against Somalia in October.
The search committee's recommendations are expected to be submitted on Friday, 9 October. Afriy's comments highlight the need for a more structured approach to succession planning in Ghanaian football. The GFA will need to consider Afriy's suggestions as they move forward in the process of appointing a new head coach for the Black Stars.
Key points
- George Afriyie questions the need for a search committee to recommend Carlos Queiroz's successor.
- Afriyie cites examples of France, Ivory Coast, and Senegal's succession planning as a more structured approach.
- The search committee's recommendations are expected to be submitted on Friday, 9 October.
