Former Sports Minister Edwin Nii Lante Vanderpuye has expressed concerns over the appointment process of Carlos Queiroz as head coach of Ghana's Black Stars. Vanderpuye's comments come after Ghana's disappointing start to the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign, with the team losing their first two Group C matches. The Black Stars suffered a 2-0 defeat to Côte d'Ivoire and a 4-2 loss to The Gambia at the Accra Sports Stadium.
Vanderpuye, who served as Sports Minister from 2015 to 2017, questioned the transparency of the Ghana Football Association's (GFA) recruitment process for the coach position. He stated that he does not trust the procedures used to appoint Queiroz. According to Vanderpuye, the GFA did not provide sufficient information about the recruitment process, citing over 99 applications, but ultimately appointing Queiroz without clear justification.
Vanderpuye also raised concerns about Queiroz's profile and suitability for the Black Stars. He claimed to have studied Queiroz's profile and believes that the coach is not the right fit for the team Ghana wants to build. Vanderpuye suggested that the individuals involved in the decision-making process may not have had a clear understanding of the team's requirements.
Carlos Queiroz replaced Otto Addo as head coach of the Black Stars earlier this year and successfully guided Ghana to qualification for the 2026 World Cup. However, his current tenure is under pressure following the team's consecutive defeats in the AFCON qualifiers, leaving them without a point.
The Black Stars are set to face Somalia in a double-header match in October, with the aim of reviving their qualification campaign and returning to the AFCON after missing the 2025 tournament in Morocco. The team's performance in the upcoming matches will be crucial in determining the future of Queiroz as head coach.
Vanderpuye's comments reflect the growing concerns among football fans and stakeholders in Ghana about the team's performance and the appointment of Queiroz. The GFA will need to address these concerns and provide clarity on the recruitment process to restore confidence in the team's leadership.
The appointment of Queiroz and the team's performance will continue to be a topic of discussion in Ghana's football community. The Black Stars' upcoming matches against Somalia will be crucial in determining the team's prospects in the 2027 AFCON qualifiers and the future of Queiroz as head coach.
Key points
- Former Sports Minister Edwin Nii Lante Vanderpuye questions the transparency of the GFA's recruitment process for Carlos Queiroz.
- Vanderpuye expresses concerns about Queiroz's profile and suitability for the Black Stars.
- The Black Stars face Somalia in a double-header match in October to revive their AFCON qualification campaign.
