The Ghana Football Association (GFA) has revealed that the country's lack of football infrastructure was a major concern that led to Carlos Queiroz's departure as Black Stars head coach. GFA Communications Director Henry Asante Twum stated that the Portuguese coach was particularly concerned about the absence of a dedicated training base for the national team. Queiroz was surprised that the Black Stars did not have a permanent camp or facility where the team could train.
According to Asante Twum, Queiroz complained that it was the first time he had seen a national team without a camp base. The coach believed that this affected the team's performance and did not help in getting a proper pitch. The GFA confirmed on October 1 that it had mutually parted ways with Queiroz, bringing an end to his brief tenure following Ghana's disappointing start to the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign.
Ghana's limited number of approved stadiums has contributed to the challenges surrounding the Black Stars' training arrangements. Asante Twum explained that the country has only one approved stadium, which has led to the team using match venues for training. This has limited the options available to the technical team. Queiroz's concerns come against the backdrop of wider discussions about the state of football infrastructure in Ghana.
The Black Stars have frequently had to use match venues for training due to the lack of suitable and approved facilities. This has been a long-standing issue for the team, and Queiroz's departure has highlighted the need for Ghana to address its football infrastructure challenges. The GFA has established a five-member committee to oversee the search for Queiroz's replacement.
The committee is expected to submit its report to the Sports Ministry on October 9, as the football authorities begin the process of identifying a new coach for the Black Stars. Ghana will return to action in the 2027 AFCON qualifiers in October when the Black Stars face Somalia in a double-header, with both matches scheduled to take place at the Accra Sports Stadium.
The Black Stars are seeking to secure qualification for the 2027 tournament after failing to qualify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco. This will be a significant challenge for the team, and the GFA will need to address its infrastructure challenges to ensure that the team has the best possible chance of success.
The 2027 AFCON will be jointly hosted by Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania. Ghana's football authorities will need to work quickly to find a new coach and address the team's infrastructure challenges if they are to have any chance of qualifying for the tournament.
Key points
- The GFA cited Ghana's lack of football infrastructure as a key reason for Carlos Queiroz's departure as Black Stars head coach.
- The country's limited number of approved stadiums has contributed to the challenges surrounding the Black Stars' training arrangements.
- The GFA has established a five-member committee to oversee the search for Queiroz's replacement.
