GFA Must Respect Local Coaches and Consider Them for Black Stars Job – Oti Akenteng

Former Ghana Football Association (GFA) Technical Director Francis Oti Akenteng has questioned the decision by the GFA and the Ministry of Sports and Recreation to overlook local coaches for the Black Stars coaching job, arguing that Ghanaian tacticians have the experience and ability to lead the senior national team.

His comments come amid discussions surrounding the appointment of Swedish coach Kim Lars Björkegren to lead Ghana’s interim technical team ahead of the November 2026 international fixtures.

Björkegren is expected to work alongside Ghanaian coaches Ibrahim Tanko and Godwin Attram as assistants, while former Black Stars goalkeeper Fatawu Dauda has been appointed goalkeepers’ coach.

Speaking on Asempa FM’s Ultimate Sports Show, Oti Akenteng maintained that Ghana has qualified local coaches who deserve serious consideration whenever the national team’s coaching position becomes vacant.

“There are local coaches who are capable of coaching the Black Stars,” he said.

He further warned that repeatedly overlooking Ghanaian coaches could be interpreted as a sign of disrespect and discourage them from pursuing opportunities to manage the national team.

“If they are always overlooked, that is a sign of disrespect, and if the local coaches are not respected, they will not have an interest in coaching,” he reportedly added.

The debate comes at a challenging period for Ghanaian football, following disappointing results in the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers that have intensified calls for improved performances from the Black Stars.

The GFA and the Sports Ministry have been working to identify a suitable candidate to lead the team, with a search committee tasked with assessing potential applicants for the substantive coaching position.

Oti Akenteng’s comments have renewed discussions about the opportunities available to Ghanaian coaches and the need to develop local technical expertise.

As the recruitment process continues, attention will remain on whether the authorities will give greater consideration to domestic coaches and how the eventual appointment will contribute to the Black Stars’ performance and long-term development.

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