Alhaji Karim Grusah, owner of King Faisal FC, has publicly called for the resignation of Ghana Football Association (GFA) president Kurt Okraku. Grusah's demand comes after Ghana's disappointing start to the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign, with the Black Stars losing their first two Group C matches. The team's poor performance has put pressure on the GFA leadership, with Grusah threatening to expose Okraku's 'secrets' if he does not step down.
Ghana's AFCON qualifying campaign got off to a disastrous start with a 2-0 loss to Côte d'Ivoire in Bouaké, followed by a 4-2 defeat to The Gambia at the Accra Sports Stadium. The results left Ghana without a single point from their first two matches. The team's performance has been widely criticized, with players, including Opoku and Afena-Gyan, issuing public apologies after the loss to The Gambia.
Grusah's outburst was reported by Pulse Ghana, which stated that the King Faisal FC owner claimed to possess information about Okraku that he intended to forward to the Ministry of Sports and Recreation. However, Grusah did not specify what this information involved. He also urged Okraku to accept responsibility for the federation's troubles rather than threatening legal or FIFA action against critics.
The fallout from Ghana's poor performances has led to significant changes within the team's management. Head coach Carlos Queiroz left his post by mutual agreement with the GFA shortly after the back-to-back losses. The GFA, working alongside the Ministry of Sports, has set up a five-member committee chaired by former GFA vice-president Fred Pappoe to evaluate candidates for the vacant Black Stars job.
The committee, which includes representatives from the GFA and the Ministry of Sports, has until October 9, 2026, to submit its recommendation for a new head coach. Several coaches are reportedly in the running for the position, including Moroccan tactician Walid Regragui, Senegalese coach Pape Thiaw, and former Manchester United striker Dwight Yorke, who joined the contest this week.
Grusah's demand for Okraku's resignation is not the only challenge facing the GFA leadership. Supporters in Keta have been rallying behind former Black Stars captain André "Dede" Ayew to contest the GFA presidency, reflecting broader dissatisfaction with how the federation has been run. Ghana's next qualifying fixture comes against Somalia in November, and it remains to be seen how the GFA will respond to Grusah's allegations and whether Okraku intends to address the resignation calls.
The GFA's response to Grusah's allegations and the potential candidacy of Ayew for the GFA presidency will be closely watched by Ghanaian football fans. The Pappoe-led committee's October 9 deadline for recommending a new head coach remains the most concrete date on the federation's calendar. The coming weeks will likely see significant developments in Ghanaian football, with the team's performance and leadership under intense scrutiny.
Key points
- Alhaji Karim Grusah demands GFA president Kurt Okraku's resignation, threatening to expose his 'secrets' amid Ghana's poor AFCON qualifying start.
- Ghana's poor AFCON qualifying start has led to the departure of head coach Carlos Queiroz and a search for a new coach.
- The GFA faces challenges, including a potential candidacy for the presidency from former Black Stars captain André "Dede" Ayew.
