The Ghana Football Association has terminated the contract of Black Stars coach Carlos Queiroz by mutual consent. This decision comes after a disastrous start to the AFCON 2027 qualifying campaign. Queiroz had only returned to the job in September after stepping down following Ghana's 2026 World Cup campaign. His second spell lasted just two competitive matches before both parties agreed to part ways.
Ghana's AFCON 2027 qualifying campaign has gotten off to a terrible start. The Black Stars lost their opening match 2-0 to Côte d'Ivoire and then suffered a 4-2 defeat at home to The Gambia. This has left Ghana rooted to the bottom of Group C without a single point from their opening two fixtures. The home loss to The Gambia was particularly damaging, with Ghana conceding four goals after leading 2-0 in Accra.
Following the home defeat to The Gambia, Queiroz accepted responsibility for the result but pushed back against the notion that his resignation alone would fix Ghana's deeper football challenges. Queiroz has an extensive coaching career spanning several continents, having previously managed Portugal, Iran, and Colombia at international level. He also served as Sir Alex Ferguson's assistant at Manchester United.
During his first stint as Ghana coach, Queiroz guided the Black Stars to the knockout rounds at the 2026 World Cup. This result earned him enough credit to secure a second contract. However, his second spell has been short-lived and unsuccessful. The Ghana Football Association is now faced with the urgent task of appointing a new coach while trying to rescue a qualification campaign that has started in the worst possible fashion.
Ghana's failure to qualify for the 2025 AFCON and their current struggles in the AFCON 2027 qualifying campaign have raised concerns about the state of football in the country. The Black Stars are staring down the prospect of a second consecutive absence from the continental showpiece if results do not improve quickly. The team needs to win crucial matches to stay in contention for a spot in the 2027 tournament.
Ghana's next matches against Somalia in November will be crucial in determining their chances of qualifying for AFCON 2027. Another slip-up could leave Ghana's qualification hopes dependent on results elsewhere. The Black Stars face their main rivals in March 2027, and a good performance in the November matches will be essential to boost their confidence and chances of qualification.
The Ghana Football Association will need to act quickly to appoint a new coach who can turn the team's fortunes around. The new coach will have to work with the existing squad and make tactical changes to improve the team's performance. With the right approach and strategy, Ghana can still qualify for AFCON 2027 and make a strong impression in the tournament.
Key points
- Ghana sacked coach Carlos Queiroz after a disastrous start to the AFCON 2027 qualifying campaign.
- The Black Stars lost their opening two matches, including a 4-2 home defeat to The Gambia.
- Ghana's next matches against Somalia in November will be crucial in determining their chances of qualifying for AFCON 2027.
