BY Nadia Ntiamoah
Former Black Stars head coach Carlos Queiroz decided to leave his position because of the team’s poor results, according to Ghana Football Association (GFA) Communications Director Henry Asante Twum.
The Portuguese coach was appointed on a short-term contract to replace Otto Addo ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with the mandate of guiding Ghana through the tournament and subsequently into the next phase of the national team’s programme.
Queiroz led the Black Stars to the knockout stage of the 2026 World Cup in North America, securing Ghana’s first appearance in the last 16 of the competition since the 2010 tournament.
Following the World Cup, the GFA retained the former Egypt and Colombia coach to lead the team into the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
However, his second spell with the Black Stars quickly came under pressure after Ghana suffered consecutive defeats in their opening Group C qualifiers.
The Black Stars began their campaign with a 2-0 loss to Côte d’Ivoire before suffering a 4-2 home defeat to The Gambia at the Accra Sports Stadium.
The results left Ghana bottom of Group C without a point and prompted discussions over Queiroz’s future.
According to Asante Twum, the coach acknowledged that the team’s results had not met expectations and subsequently opted to leave his position.
“Carlos Queiroz admits that the results have not been great, and he has decided to move on,” Asante Twum told Kessben FM.
Queiroz’s seven-match tenure ended with one win, two draws and four defeats. His departure has triggered a fresh search for a permanent head coach, with a five-member committee established to identify and recommend a suitable successor.
The committee is expected to submit its report to the Ministry of Sports and Recreation on October 9. The GFA now faces the challenge of finding a coach capable of stabilising the Black Stars and reviving their qualification campaign, with Ghana at risk of missing a second consecutive Africa Cup of Nations tournament.
The Black Stars are scheduled to face Somalia twice in November at the Accra Sports Stadium as they attempt to revive their Group C campaign.
