Ghana national team coach Carlos Queiroz has mutually agreed to terminate his contract with the Ghana Football Association (GFA) following the Black Stars’ disappointing start to their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying campaign. The Portuguese coach announced the decision after discussions conducted in a “spirit of mutual respect.” This move comes after Ghana suffered back-to-back defeats in their opening 2027 AFCON qualifiers.
The Black Stars lost to Ivory Coast and The Gambia, leaving the four-time African champions without a point from their first two matches. Queiroz stated that while the decision was difficult, both parties believed ending their professional relationship was the best option under the current circumstances. He emphasized that the interests of Ghana, the Black Stars, and Ghanaian football were prioritized.
Queiroz expressed gratitude to the GFA, particularly its President, for the opportunity to lead the national team. He noted that it has been an honour to serve Ghana and the Black Stars. The former Real Madrid and Portugal coach revealed that he arrived in Ghana with the ambition of helping to build a stronger future for the Black Stars and contribute to talent development.
However, Queiroz acknowledged that challenges on and off the pitch influenced the outcome. He stated that despite their commitment and efforts, the necessary conditions were not fully established, and their recent performance added to the decision to bring this journey to an end. Queiroz paid tribute to his technical staff and players, especially for their efforts during preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign.
Queiroz reserved special praise for the Black Stars players, urging Ghanaians to continue supporting the squad despite the team’s recent struggles. He encouraged Ghanaians to believe in the players, protect them, and support them, emphasizing that the talent and potential are there. With unity, support, and the right environment, this generation can achieve great things for Ghana.
The coach concluded his farewell message by thanking Ghanaian football fans for their unwavering support and expressing confidence in the future of the national team. He stated that Ghana comes first, the Black Stars come first, and Ghanaian football comes first. Queiroz thanked Ghana and wished the team well for the future.
The Ghana Football Association has not officially announced a replacement for Queiroz, but the team will need to regroup and refocus ahead of their next qualifying match. The Black Stars will look to bounce back from their disappointing start and make a strong push for the 2027 AFCON.
Key points
- - Carlos Queiroz has mutually agreed to terminate his contract with the Ghana Football Association (GFA) due to the Black Stars’ poor start to the 2027 AFCON qualifiers. - The Black Stars lost their first two matches to Ivory Coast and The Gambia, leaving them without a point. - Queiroz has urged Ghanaians to continue supporting the team, citing the talent and potential of the current squad.
