Ghana's Black Stars coach, Carlos Queiroz, has rejected calls for his resignation following the team's humiliating 4-2 defeat to The Gambia in their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier. The loss, which saw Ghana surrender a two-goal lead, has sparked chaotic scenes at the Accra Sports Stadium, with fans directing their anger at the coach and players. Queiroz described the defeat as a "terrible result" and insisted that quitting would not address the deeper problems confronting Ghana football.
The defeat has left Ghana without a point from their opening two matches in Group C, following their 2-0 loss to Côte d'Ivoire in Bouaké. The Gambia, on the other hand, has strengthened its position in the group with another important victory. Queiroz made the remarks at the post-match press conference, where he accepted full responsibility for the result and appealed to supporters and the media to direct their criticism at him rather than the players.
Queiroz questioned whether his departure would solve the broader problems facing Ghana football, stating that resignation would be the "easiest solution". He stressed that his future was not solely his decision, but would ultimately be determined by the Ghana Football Association's (GFA) leadership, God, and the team's results. The coach defended his record in international football, insisting that the defeat should be treated as a lesson rather than evidence that his career had failed.
The Ghana Football Association (GFA) president, Kurt Okraku, was also targeted by angry fans, who called for his resignation and described him as the "problem of Ghana football". The fans, who spoke to The Ghanaian Times, blamed the GFA for the sharp decline in the performance of the Black Stars. The team's captain, Gideon Mensah, accepted responsibility for the disappointing performance, admitting that the team failed to maintain its early momentum after taking the two-goal lead.
Mensah acknowledged the anger of the supporters and said the team deserved the criticism, but appealed for continued support as the players worked to regain public confidence. Queiroz also defended his tactical substitutions, insisting that he used the best options available and challenged those who criticised his decisions to identify better alternatives. The coach said Ghana had controlled much of the first half and deserved its 2-0 advantage, but conceded two easy goals which affected the team's morale.
The defeat has sparked widespread criticism, with many calling for Queiroz's resignation. However, the coach remains committed to his role, saying he wants Ghanaians to be calm and to direct their criticism at him rather than the players. He believes that excessive criticism of the players could further affect their confidence at a time when they need the backing of Ghanaians to revive their qualification campaign.
The immediate challenge for Queiroz is now to rebuild the confidence of the team and keep Ghana's AFCON qualification hopes alive. His refusal to bow to resignation calls is certain to fuel further debate over his future. The team's next match will be crucial in determining their chances of qualifying for the tournament.
Key points
- Coach Queiroz rejects calls for resignation after 4-2 loss to Gambia
- Ghana's football faces broader problems, says coach Queiroz
- Team's next match crucial in determining AFCON qualification hopes
