Black Stars need a young and ambitious coach - Ex-GFA veep George Afriyie
Former Ghana Football Association (GFA) Vice President George Afriyie has raised concerns over the long-term suitability of Carlos Queiroz as head coach of the Black Stars, arguing that Ghana needs a younger and more ambitious tactician capable of building a successful future.
Queiroz was appointed as Ghana’s head coach on a short-term deal following the dismissal of Otto Addo, with the Portuguese manager given less than three months to prepare the team for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Despite facing criticism over his conservative approach, the experienced coach guided the Black Stars to the Round of 32 at the tournament, securing Ghana’s first World Cup knockout-stage appearance since the 2010 edition in South Africa.
However, Afriyie believes Queiroz may not be the right person to lead Ghana’s long-term project, insisting that the country must consider a coach with greater ambition and a desire to achieve major success.
Speaking on Adom TV, Afriyie argued that a defensive approach alone cannot deliver major trophies.
“No coach who adopts defensive tactics wins trophies. If we keep Carlos Queiroz for one or two years, we will eventually sack him. What motivation does he have to win a trophy for Ghana?” he questioned.
“If he were working for the government, he would already be retired. We need a challenging and ambitious coach—someone who wants to achieve something in his career, prove something, and not someone who is nearing the end of his career.”
The former GFA Vice President revealed that prior to Queiroz’s appointment, he had advocated for an experienced coach to guide the Black Stars through a difficult period, considering the limited time available before the World Cup.
According to Afriyie, his call for an experienced figure was misunderstood by some Ghanaians, but his intention was to ensure the team had the right leadership during a challenging transition.
He added that Ghana should have conducted broader consultations before settling on a coach who could not only handle the World Cup but also oversee the team’s development beyond the tournament.
With the Black Stars now preparing for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, attention has turned to the future of the technical team. Ghana has been drawn in Group C alongside Gambia, Côte d’Ivoire and Somalia, with the qualification campaign set to begin in September.
The Ghana Football Association is expected to make a decision on Queiroz’s future in the coming days as discussions continue over the direction of the national team.