The Ghana Football Association (GFA) and the Ministry of Sports have jointly formed a five-member Search Committee to identify a new head coach for the Black Stars, following the exit of Carlos Queiroz. The committee was constituted after GFA leadership and ministry officials convened in Accra on Friday, October 2, to chart a path forward for the national team's technical leadership. This move comes after Ghana's poor start to their 2027 AFCON qualifying campaign.
Fred Pappoe, a former GFA Vice-President, will serve as chairman of the committee. He is joined by Anthony Baffoe, General Secretary of the Professional Footballers Association of Ghana and a former Ghana international; legal practitioner and football administrator Agbesi Dzakpasu (Esq.); former Black Stars captain Stephen Appiah; and high-performance specialist Faisal Chibsah. The committee brings together a cross-section of expertise spanning football administration, legal practice, player welfare, and performance management.
The committee's mandate is to identify, evaluate, and recommend a suitable candidate for the vacant head coach role. Upon completing their work, the committee is expected to present a report to the GFA, which will collaborate with the ministry as the appointment process moves forward. Both bodies have indicated that the recruitment will be conducted in a transparent and merit-based manner.
Carlos Queiroz's tenure ended on Thursday, October 1, a day before the committee was formed, following the conclusion of Ghana's September international window. The Portuguese trainer departed after the Black Stars lost their opening two fixtures in the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, falling to Côte d'Ivoire and The Gambia. Those results placed the team under intense scrutiny and accelerated the decision to seek new technical direction.
Walid Regragui has emerged as a candidate to replace Carlos Queiroz as Black Stars head coach. The 51-year-old Moroccan led the Atlas Lions to the semi-finals of the 2022 FIFA World Cup. Other potential candidates are expected to be considered as the committee evaluates options for the role.
The GFA and ministry officials emphasized the importance of a transparent and merit-based recruitment process. The committee's formation and the appointment of a new head coach are crucial in determining the future of Ghana's national team. The Black Stars will look to bounce back from their recent setbacks and compete in upcoming international assignments.
The committee's work will be closely watched by Ghanaian football fans, who are eager to see a new coach at the helm of the Black Stars. With a mix of experienced administrators, football experts, and performance specialists, the committee is well-equipped to identify the best candidate for the role. The appointment of a new head coach is expected to bring a fresh perspective and new ideas to the team.
Key points
- The Ghana Football Association and Ministry of Sports have formed a five-member Search Committee to find a new Black Stars head coach.
- The committee is chaired by former GFA Vice-President Fred Pappoe and includes experts in football administration, legal practice, player welfare, and performance management.
- The recruitment process will be conducted in a transparent and merit-based manner, with the committee expected to present a report to the GFA and ministry.
