Ghana's national football team, the Black Stars, will enter a crucial month of 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying without a permanent coach. The Ghana Football Association (GFA) had aimed to appoint a new coach by October 9, 2026, but the process has been delayed. As a result, an interim coach is expected to be appointed to lead the team in its double-header against Somalia next month. Both matches will be played at the Accra Sports Stadium.
The vacancy for the coaching position arose after Carlos Queiroz's departure from the Black Stars on October 1, 2026. Queiroz had managed Ghana at the 2026 World Cup and returned to lead the AFCON qualifying campaign. However, his second spell in charge ended abruptly due to a troubled start to the group stage. A five-member search committee, set up by the GFA and the Ministry of Sports and Recreation, was tasked with finding a replacement.
The search committee, chaired by former GFA vice-president Fred Pappoe, includes notable figures such as former Black Stars captain Stephen Appiah, former international Anthony Baffoe, high-performance specialist Faisal Chibsah, and football administrator Agbesi Dzakpasu. Despite their efforts, the committee requires more time to complete the process, making an interim appointment necessary for the Somalia fixtures.
Ghana's situation in the qualifiers is precarious, having lost its first two matches in Group C. The team was defeated 2-0 away to Côte d'Ivoire and 4-2 at home to The Gambia, leaving them bottom of the group without a single point. The stakes are high, as Ghana failed to qualify for the 2025 AFCON tournament in Morocco. A further setback would compound the disappointment for the football-mad nation.
The uncertainty surrounding the Black Stars' technical leadership has sparked debate among football stakeholders. Some have pointed to government underfunding as the root cause of the team's poor form, while others blame GFA mismanagement. The sports ministry is also facing scrutiny over a World Cup visa scandal, adding to the pressure on the ministry during its search for a new national team coach.
The interim coach will be expected to improve the team's performance immediately, as there is little room for further slip-ups. The Somalia fixtures are scheduled for November, with both legs to be staged at the Accra Sports Stadium. However, exact dates have not been published, and no official name has been attached to the interim role.
The GFA has not confirmed when the search committee's final recommendation for a permanent coach will be delivered. The team needs a strong performance in the upcoming matches to boost morale and get back on track in the qualifiers. The appointment of an interim coach will provide temporary stability, but the search for a permanent replacement will continue.
Key points
- Ghana will face Somalia in November without a substantive coach.
- The GFA's search committee has missed its deadline to recommend a permanent coach.
- The team's poor qualifying form has sparked debate among football stakeholders.
