Black Stars: GFA explains decision to open coaching job to applicants

The Ghana Football Association (GFA) has explained that its decision to open applications for the vacant Black Stars head coach position was driven by the need to restore public confidence and ensure that the recruitment process reflects an agreed approach with the Ministry of Sports and Recreation.

GFA Communications Director Henry Asante Twum said the association and the Ministry considered different ways of identifying a suitable coach, including directly approaching preferred candidates and relying on recommendations. However, they eventually agreed to invite applications to widen the search and respond to public concerns about how previous appointments had been handled.

Speaking on TV3’s Sports Station, Asante Twum acknowledged that the recruitment approach had attracted questions but maintained that public confidence was an important consideration in deciding how to select the next coach.

“Every point raised is very valid. However, sometimes you also have to consider the research method you are using to find a solution, especially when you want to restore public confidence,” he said.

He added that the GFA could not make the decision independently because the Ministry was also involved in the process.

“Since the decision was not solely that of the FA and had to involve the Ministry, we had to agree to move in certain directions. We needed to respect that particular approach,” Asante Twum explained.

The coaching position became vacant following the departure of Portuguese trainer Carlos Queiroz on October 1, 2026, after Ghana suffered consecutive defeats against Côte d’Ivoire and The Gambia in the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers. The results left the Black Stars without a point after their opening two matches in Group C.

The GFA and the Ministry subsequently established a five-member search committee chaired by former GFA vice-president Fred Pappoe. Its members include former Black Stars captain Stephen Appiah, former Ghana international Anthony Baffoe, legal practitioner and football administrator Agbesi Dzakpasu, and high-performance specialist Faisal Chibsah.

According to the association, candidates are being assessed on their technical ability, leadership qualities, suitability for Ghana’s football environment and capacity to establish high-performance standards.

The application deadline was extended to October 15, 2026, to give more qualified candidates an opportunity to apply. The committee is expected to continue evaluating candidates, conducting interviews and carrying out background checks before submitting its final recommendation.

Meanwhile, the GFA has appointed an interim technical team led by Kim Lars Björkegren, with Ibrahim Tanko and Godwin Attram as assistants, to oversee the Black Stars during the November international window.

The association says the temporary arrangement will allow preparations for the upcoming fixtures to continue while the search for a substantive head coach proceeds.

The decision to open the position to applicants forms part of the authorities’ stated effort to make the recruitment process transparent and merit-based. The challenge will now be to identify a coach capable of restoring confidence in the national team and improving Ghana’s performance in the ongoing AFCON qualifying campaign.

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