2027 AFCONQ: Kim Lars Björkegren Ready For Black Stars Challenge – GFA

According to a report by Adom FM on Tuesday October 20, 2026, Ghana Football Association (GFA) Communications Director Henry Asante Twum has expressed confidence in Swedish coach Kim Lars Björkegren’s ability to lead the Black Stars through their upcoming 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying matches while continuing his responsibilities as head coach of the Black Queens.

Björkegren has been appointed to lead Ghana’s interim technical team for the November qualifiers against Somalia, following the departure of Portuguese coach Carlos Queiroz after the Black Stars suffered defeats in their opening two matches of the qualifying campaign.

The decision represents an important opportunity for the Swedish tactician to demonstrate his coaching abilities at the senior men’s level as Ghana seek to recover from a disappointing start and improve their chances of qualifying for the continental tournament.

Speaking about the appointment, Asante Twum indicated that Björkegren had welcomed the challenge and was prepared to take responsibility for the national team during this crucial period.

“He loves the challenge. At least, I spent the day with him, and I know he is ready to take it on. He also feels that it is time to test himself,” Asante Twum said, as reported by 3News.

According to the GFA communications director, the coach’s willingness to accept the responsibility and his readiness to test himself at a higher level were important factors as Ghana prepared for the upcoming fixtures.

Björkegren will work alongside Medeama SC head coach Ibrahim Tanko and Black Stars assistant coach Godwin Attram, who have been appointed as assistant coaches for the interim technical team.

Former Ghana goalkeeper Fatawu Dauda will serve as the goalkeepers’ coach.

The technical team has been assembled to guide the Black Stars through their November matches while the GFA’s five-member coaching search committee continues its work to identify a permanent head coach.

The appointment comes at a difficult moment for Ghanaian football, with the Black Stars struggling to find their footing in the 2027 AFCON qualifiers.

Ghana opened their Group C campaign with a 2-0 defeat against Ivory Coast before suffering a disappointing 4-2 loss to The Gambia at the Accra Sports Stadium.

The defeat against The Gambia was particularly painful because Ghana had taken a two-goal lead before allowing their opponents to score four times.

The consecutive losses have left the four-time African champions without a point and at the bottom of their qualifying group, increasing the pressure on the technical team and football authorities to find a solution.

Queiroz’s departure following the disappointing results created the need for an interim arrangement while the association continues the search for a substantive replacement.

Björkegren’s appointment has also attracted attention because he already oversees the Black Queens, Ghana’s senior women’s national team, who are preparing for their own important international assignments.

However, Asante Twum believes the coach can manage both responsibilities because the men’s and women’s teams are scheduled to play during different international windows.

He explained that the Black Stars and Black Meteors’ matches would take place from the early part of November to the middle of the month, while the Black Queens’ fixtures would come towards the end of November and extend into the first week of December.

“The Black Stars and Black Meteors’ games will run from the early part of November to the middle of the month. The Black Queens’ games will be at the end of November and into the first week of December,” he said on TV3’s Sports Station programme.

Asante Twum further explained that the difference in schedules would give Björkegren the opportunity to concentrate on each assignment without a direct clash between the two national teams’ commitments.

“So, he has that luxury. The women’s international window is completely different from the men’s international window.

While the women are playing, the men are on a break, and when the men resume, the women also have their turn,” he added.

Björkegren is not entirely unfamiliar with the Black Stars setup. He previously worked as one of Otto Addo’s assistants during preparations for the 2022 FIFA World Cup, including Ghana’s international friendly matches against Austria and Germany.

That previous experience is expected to help him understand the demands and expectations associated with the senior men’s team as he prepares to take charge of the side for the November qualifiers.

Ghana’s immediate objective will be to secure positive results against Somalia and begin rebuilding confidence among supporters who have grown increasingly concerned about the team’s performances.

The two matches will provide the Black Stars with an opportunity to collect valuable points and improve their position in Group C. Failure to make significant progress could further complicate their chances of securing a place at the 2027 AFCON.

The tournament will be jointly hosted by Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania, with Ghana eager to return to Africa’s biggest football competition after missing the 2025 edition held in Morocco.

For Björkegren, the temporary assignment offers an opportunity to demonstrate his capacity to lead the senior men’s team while maintaining his commitment to the Black Queens.

Asante Twum has called for support for the coach as he takes on the responsibility, with the GFA continuing efforts to identify a permanent head coach who can provide long-term direction for the Black Stars.

The coming weeks will therefore be crucial for Ghana as the interim technical team prepares for the Somalia double-header and the football authorities work to restore stability within the national team setup.

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