Chief Executive Officer of Databank Ghana, Kojo Addae Mensah, has suggested that Ghana should consider withdrawing from the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers. His comments come as the Ghana Football Association (GFA) faces a tight deadline to appoint a new head coach, following the departure of Carlos Queiroz. The Black Stars are scheduled to face Somalia on 11 November, leaving the GFA with about six weeks to prepare the team for the next qualifier.
A five-member technical search committee has been established to identify and recommend a new coach for the national team. However, Addae Mensah questioned whether the process could be completed in time, particularly if the preferred candidate is under contract with another club or national team and has to serve a notice period. This has raised concerns about the team's preparation and potential performance in the upcoming match against Somalia.
Addae Mensah also highlighted the potential financial implications of appointing a new coach. He noted that the GFA needs to consider the budget for hiring a new coach, which could be a significant factor in their decision-making process. The financial implications of appointing a new coach could be substantial, especially if the chosen candidate has a high salary or demands significant compensation.
The new coach will have limited time to prepare the team for the Somalia fixture. Addae Mensah noted that even if the coach is appointed at the end of October, they will have barely one week to work with the team before the match. This limited preparation time could put the team at a disadvantage, particularly against a well-prepared opponent like Somalia.
Ghana has made a difficult start to their qualifying campaign, losing to Ivory Coast and Gambia in their opening two Group C matches. The Black Stars are currently bottom of the group without a point and face Somalia twice in October as they attempt to revive their hopes of reaching the tournament. These losses have increased the pressure on the GFA to appoint a new coach and turn the team's fortunes around.
Addae Mensah's comments have sparked a debate about the best course of action for the Ghana national team. While withdrawing from the 2027 AFCON qualifiers may be an extreme option, it highlights the challenges facing the team and the GFA. The GFA will need to weigh the pros and cons of appointing a new coach at short notice and decide on the best way forward for the team.
The GFA will need to make a decision soon about the team's future. With the Somalia match just around the corner, the association will need to act quickly to appoint a new coach and prepare the team. The team's performance in the upcoming match will be crucial in determining their chances of reaching the 2027 AFCON.
Key points
- Kojo Addae Mensah suggests Ghana may withdraw from 2027 AFCON qualifiers due to limited time to appoint new coach.
- Ghana faces a tough schedule, including a match against Somalia on 11 November.
- The GFA has established a five-member technical search committee to identify and recommend a new coach for the national team.
