The Ghana Football Association has taken full accountability for the Black Stars' dismal start to the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign. The team suffered back-to-back defeats, losing to Ivory Coast and The Gambia, leaving them rooted to the bottom of Group C without a single point. GFA Communications Director Henry Asante Twum addressed the public backlash, stating that the association had no defence to offer.
Ghana's campaign opened with a 2-0 loss to Ivory Coast, followed by a more alarming collapse against The Gambia. The Black Stars led 2-0 at the Accra Sports Stadium but conceded four times in the second half to lose 4-2. This result significantly damaged their qualification hopes for the 2027 AFCON, which will be jointly hosted by Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania.
In the wake of the two defeats, the GFA and head coach Carlos Queiroz parted ways by mutual consent. A five-member committee has been constituted to oversee the recruitment of a replacement. The committee is expected to present its findings to the Sports Ministry by Friday, October 9. This move aims to find a new coach who can help the team salvage their qualifying bid.
Ghana's next opportunity to revive their qualification hopes comes in October, with a double-header against Somalia at the Accra Sports Stadium. The Black Stars still have four matches remaining and can collect a maximum of 12 points to revive their qualification hopes. The team is aiming to return to the continental tournament after missing out on the 2025 edition in Morocco.
The GFA has acknowledged the frustration of Ghanaians following the team's poor start. Henry Asante Twum told Kessben FM that it was normal for the association to be blamed for the Black Stars' poor start to the AFCON qualifiers. The leadership takes full responsibility for the current state of affairs, recognizing that they will need the support of all stakeholders.
The 2027 AFCON will provide an opportunity for Ghana to make a comeback. Despite the setbacks, the Black Stars have a chance to qualify for the tournament. The team's performance in the upcoming matches will be crucial in determining their fate. The GFA's efforts to find a new coach and improve the team's performance will be closely watched by fans and stakeholders.
The search for a new coach is underway, with the five-member committee working to present its findings to the Sports Ministry. The team's upcoming matches against Somalia will be an important test of their abilities. The Black Stars will need to perform well to keep their qualification hopes alive and make a strong comeback in the 2027 AFCON.
Key points
- Ghana Football Association takes blame for Black Stars' poor AFCON 2027 qualifying start
- Carlos Queiroz leaves as head coach after back-to-back defeats
- Ghana faces Somalia in October to revive qualification hopes
