Ghana has reappointed Carlos Queiroz as head coach for an interim period, the Ghana Football Association confirmed this week. The move comes two months after the Portuguese coach stepped down following the Black Stars' World Cup campaign, which ended with a 1-0 defeat to Colombia in the round of 32 on July 4.
Why has Queiroz returned to Ghana?
The GFA announced on Wednesday that the 73-year-old would lead the team into the upcoming international window. According to a statement reported by Reuters, the association believes Queiroz's extensive international experience and knowledge of the Black Stars position him strongly for this next chapter. His immediate task is to prepare the team for 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, which begin later this month with matches against Ivory Coast.
Queiroz himself expressed pride at continuing in the role. In a post on Instagram cited by the BBC, he said serving Ghana is a privilege and a mission to honour one of Africa's greatest football nations. He added that the ambition is to improve every day, unite the nation, and fight for every victory with passion. The GFA has not specified the length of his new contract, stating further details will be announced in due course.
What is the current state of the Black Stars?
Ghana's recent form presents a significant challenge for the returning coach. The team's last five matches have yielded zero wins, two draws, and three losses, with the most recent results reading as three consecutive defeats. Their World Cup campaign left them third in their group with four points from one win, one draw, and one loss. They scored two goals and conceded two across those three games, leaving them with a zero goal difference and three points behind group leaders England. Fans can track the team's progress and upcoming schedule on our dedicated standings and fixtures pages.
How does the GFA president view his tenure?
Ghana Football Association President Kurt Okraku has said the contribution of his administration will be more fully appreciated after his tenure ends. Speaking to 3Sports in an interview covered by UA News, Okraku acknowledged that leading Ghanaian football comes with criticism but stressed his desire to leave a positive legacy. He compared the future assessment of his work to how, in his view, historical figure Kwame Nkrumah came to be appreciated over time.
Okraku expressed hope that people would remember the positive things his team has done for Ghanaian football. He argued that the administration's work should be judged by its long-term impact on the sport's development. The GFA president also cited the example of his predecessor, Kwesi Nyantakyi, who he said faced criticism despite overseeing a period where Ghana qualified for the World Cup and reached an Africa Cup of Nations final.
What are Ghana's immediate fixtures?
The Black Stars begin their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign in Group C, where they face Ivory Coast, The Gambia, and Somalia. Queiroz's first matches back in charge will be the home and away fixtures against Ivory Coast during the September international window, which runs from September 21 to October 6. The exact dates and venues for these crucial qualifiers are yet to be officially announced by the GFA. Supporters can view the full squad expected to be selected for these matches on our squad page.
