Kim Lars Björkegren appointed interim head coach of Black Stars

The Ghana Football Association (GFA), in consultation with the Ministry of Sports and Recreation, has appointed Kim Lars Björkegren to lead an interim technical team for the Black Stars. The appointment is specifically aimed at managing the senior national men's team for the upcoming 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) double-header qualifiers against Somalia, scheduled for November. This move is intended to ensure leadership and continuity during a transitional phase as the GFA's Search Committee continues its work to find a permanent successor to Carlos Queiroz.

Björkegren will be supported by a technical team consisting of assistant coaches Ibrahim Tanko and Godwin Attram, both former Ghana internationals. Former national goalkeeper Fatawu Dauda has also been named as the team's goalkeepers' coach. This interim structure was established to provide the necessary technical support for the squad during the immediate international window while the federation finalizes the recruitment process for a long-term head coach.

The decision to appoint Björkegren has sparked debate among sports analysts and football fans, primarily because he currently serves as the head coach of the Black Queens, Ghana's senior women's national team. Critics have expressed concerns regarding the potential strain of managing both teams simultaneously, particularly as the Black Queens navigate their own World Cup bid. However, supporters of the move point to historical precedents within Ghanaian football, noting that esteemed coaches such as E.K. Afranie and Mas-Ud Didi Dramani previously managed both the senior men’s and women’s national sides.

The GFA and the Ministry of Sports have called on the Ghanaian public to offer their full support to the interim technical team and the Black Stars as they prepare for the fixtures against Somalia. The federation maintains that the interim arrangement is the most effective way to stabilize the team's performance and secure vital points in the AFCON qualification campaign while the search for a permanent technical lead remains a priority.