Ghana's national football team, the Black Stars, suffered a 4-2 home defeat to The Gambia in the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign on September 29, at the Accra Sports Stadium. This result has intensified pressure on coach Carlos Queiroz, who returned for a second stint as Black Stars coach earlier in September. The team's performance has raised concerns about their ability to secure a place at the 2027 edition.
The defeat to The Gambia was Ghana's second loss in as many Group C fixtures, having previously conceded a 2-0 loss to Côte d'Ivoire in Bouaké. Across both games, Ghana conceded six goals without earning any points. This poor start to the qualifying campaign has compounded the pressure mounting on Queiroz and his technical staff. The team's absence from the 2025 AFCON held in Morocco was a significant low point for Ghana's football.
Carlos Queiroz has publicly responded to calls for his resignation following the unexpected defeat. The Portuguese coach addressed the speculation directly when asked whether he would step down from the role. He stated that if his resignation would be the solution for Ghana football, he would be the first to resign, but this decision would be left to the Ghana Football Association.
The loss to The Gambia was particularly damaging, coming at home and against an opposition Ghana would have expected to overcome. The Gambia delivered a commanding display, further intensifying the pressure on Queiroz and his team. With the Ghana Football Association now under pressure to act, the key question is whether Queiroz will remain in charge for Ghana's next qualifying assignment.
Queiroz was reappointed to lead the Black Stars earlier in September, with the immediate aim of navigating the AFCON 2027 qualifying rounds. The opening two results have made this task considerably harder. Ghana's current qualifying form raises fresh concerns about the team's prospects. The Ghana Football Association is under pressure to act, and there are calls for changes within the association.
A top sports journalist has criticised Kurt Okraku, the president of the Ghana Football Association, after Ghana's 4-2 home defeat to The Gambia. The journalist called on President John Mahama to intervene and remove Okraku from his position. This development adds to the growing pressure on the Ghana Football Association to take action and address the team's poor performance.
The Black Stars sit bottom of Group C with zero points after two matches, and their next qualifying assignment will be crucial in determining their chances of securing a place at the 2027 AFCON. The team's performance will be closely watched, and any further losses could lead to significant changes within the team and the Ghana Football Association.
Key points
- Carlos Queiroz's position as coach of the Black Stars is under scrutiny after Ghana's poor start to the 2027 AFCON qualifying campaign.
- Ghana's loss to The Gambia has intensified pressure on the Ghana Football Association to take action and address the team's poor performance.
- The team's absence from the 2025 AFCON and current qualifying form have raised concerns about Ghana's football and the need for changes within the association.
