BY GRACE ZIGAH
The Ghana Football Association (GFA) is reportedly preparing to end its short-lived partnership with Carlos Queiroz, despite growing calls from supporters and influential figures, including President John Mahama, for the veteran Portuguese coach to remain in charge of the Black Stars.
Queiroz was appointed Ghana head coach in April, only weeks before the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico. The 73-year-old signed a four-month contract primarily tasked with guiding the national team through the global tournament, leaving his future beyond August dependent on the outcome of discussions with the GFA.
Although the campaign ended in the Round of 32, Queiroz achieved a significant milestone by guiding the Black Stars into the knockout stage for the first time since the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.
That achievement has generated calls for the experienced coach to be given more time to develop the squad rather than being replaced after only a few months in charge. Sections of the football fraternity and supporters believe continuity could allow Queiroz to build on the progress made at the World Cup.
The coach’s own comments after Ghana’s elimination initially appeared to suggest that his time with the Black Stars had come to an end. Queiroz, however, subsequently explained in an interview that his social media post had been misunderstood and should not be interpreted as a definitive announcement of his departure.
President Mahama has also publicly backed the idea of retaining the Portuguese tactician. During a visit to the Ho Sports Stadium in July, the President called on the relevant authorities to persuade Queiroz to continue working with Ghana, arguing that maintaining the current team and technical direction could improve the country’s prospects at major tournaments.
“I’m sure that if we keep this team, and we persuade the coach Carlos Queiroz to continue to work with the team, by the time of the next AFCON and the next World Cup, we’ll have a team that can claim the championship in either of those two competitions,” Mahama said.
Despite the apparent political support for continuity and reported interest from the GFA in retaining Queiroz, negotiations have reportedly encountered difficulties, particularly over the Portuguese coach’s demands.
The uncertainty has prompted the Football Association to explore alternatives. GFA Executive Council member Nana Oduro Sarfo has confirmed that discussions are ongoing with other coaches as the association weighs its options.
“The Ghana Football Association (GFA) is still in talks with other coaches for the Black Stars job,” Oduro Sarfo told Kumasi-based Ezra Radio.
The coaching uncertainty has been compounded by changes within Queiroz’s technical team. Roger De Sa, who joined the Black Stars setup as an assistant ahead of the World Cup, has since left the position after securing an appointment as technical director of Cape Town Spurs.
Should Queiroz remain, the departure of De Sa would mean another adjustment to the technical structure surrounding the national team. If the GFA opts for a new head coach, however, the association would have to oversee a broader rebuilding of the technical team.
The timing has increased the pressure on the GFA to reach a decision. The next major assignment is already approaching, with the Black Stars scheduled to begin their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign in September.
Ghana missed the previous AFCON tournament in Morocco and will be determined to avoid another absence from Africa’s premier national team competition. The Black Stars have been drawn in Group C alongside Côte d’Ivoire, The Gambia and Somalia.
