Carlos Queiroz Reshuffles Black Stars Technical Team and Defends Strategy Ahead of Crucial 2027 AFCON Qualifiers

Black Stars head coach Carlos Queiroz has intensified preparations for Ghana’s 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying campaign, emphasizing that securing a victory in the opening match against Côte d’Ivoire is his immediate priority. Following his appointment in April 2026 and a subsequent World Cup appearance, Queiroz is under pressure to end Ghana’s 44-year trophy drought. The coach has underscored a "winning-first" philosophy, dismissing critics of his conservative style by stating that results are the only metric that matters. The Black Stars are scheduled to face Côte d’Ivoire in Bouaké on September 24, followed by a home fixture against The Gambia on September 29 and a friendly against Morocco in early October.

To strengthen the technical bench for these assignments, the Ghana Football Association (GFA) has appointed former international midfielder Godwin Attram as the new assistant coach. Attram, who brings significant experience from his playing days at PSV Eindhoven and coaching roles with Accra Great Olympics, replaces Desmond Ofei. Ofei will now pivot to lead the national U-23 team, the Black Meteors, as part of a broader GFA restructuring intended to enhance focus across various national cadres. Attram’s immediate mandate involves tactical preparation and the integration of new players into a squad recently destabilized by a wave of absences.

The national team faces a significant selection crisis, with Queiroz confirming that 10 potential players have been ruled out due to injuries. A major talking point has been the withdrawal of Mohammed Kudus, who opted to rest and recover following a strenuous match for Tottenham Hotspur against Aston Villa. While Queiroz acknowledged that national coaches have limited control over club-level decisions, he emphasized that the decision to leave Kudus out was made to ensure the player’s long-term well-being. Other notable absences include Thomas Partey and Nathaniel Adjei, forcing the technical team to call up several replacements, including Mohammed Fuseini, to fill the gaps.

Amidst the on-field preparations, former Black Stars midfielder Emmanuel Agyemang-Badu has called on the GFA and the Ministry of Youth and Sports to provide greater transparency regarding Queiroz’s contract. Agyemang-Badu argued that publicizing the contract’s duration and specific objectives is essential for a fair assessment of the coach’s performance. While Queiroz is focused on the immediate 2027 AFCON targets, he has also outlined a long-term vision to build a stable core of players for the 2030 FIFA World Cup. He maintains that establishing continuity and reducing frequent squad changes will be vital for Ghana to regain its status as a dominant force in international football.