Ghana will name a temporary coach to lead the Black Stars for their approaching Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Somalia next month. This step follows the formation of a five-person committee by the Ghana Football Association and the Sports Ministry, which is ready to give its first suggestion.
The group, led by former GFA vice-president Fred Pappoe, must propose a candidate by Friday to manage the two games set for the Accra Sports Stadium. This temporary hire aims to offer steadiness while a full-time replacement for Carlos Queiroz is found. Queiroz stepped down after Ghana was defeated in its first two Group C qualifying matches, leaving the team at the bottom of the standings with zero points.
Candidates under consideration
Ibrahim Tanko and Godwin Attram are two names being looked at for the open Black Stars head coach job on a temporary basis before Ghana’s November Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Somalia. Tanko, who leads Medeama, has been an assistant with the senior national team before. Attram is already an assistant coach with the Black Stars. The committee has also reportedly looked at former Ghana player John Paintsil, an assistant with the national team, and current Ghana U-17 head coach Laryea Kingston.
The committee's task is likely to be prolonged after Friday's proposal, letting it keep searching for a permanent head coach. The most urgent goal, though, is getting good outcomes against Somalia to restart a struggling qualification effort. Ghana was beaten 2-0 away by Ivory Coast and then gave up a two-goal advantage to lose 4-2 at home to The Gambia. These defeats have created significant pressure on the team's qualifying journey.
After the November international break, Ghana's following AFCON qualifiers are in March 2027, versus Côte d’Ivoire and The Gambia. This gap will allow the committee more time to assess candidates for the lasting position. The GFA has said a temporary technical team will maintain continuity, connect with players, and supervise preparations without upsetting the match calendar. The association also stressed the importance of the new coach collaborating with the existing squad and handling any possible injuries well.
The association states it is still dedicated to an open, merit-based procedure to find a coach who can create a team able to contend at continental and world levels. Ghana's next game is at home against Somalia on 11 November 2026, with the GFA confirming the temporary coach will lead the team for both of these important fixtures.
Read the full report at GhanaSoccernet
