2027 AFCON Qualifiers: Talent alone will not be enough - Black Stars coach Carlos Queiroz ahead of opening games

Black Stars head coach Carlos Queiroz has called on Ghana to move away from relying on individual brilliance, insisting the national team's success will depend on discipline, sacrifice and collective responsibility.

Speaking at a press conference ahead of Ghana's opening 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying matches, the Portuguese coach said the Black Stars must develop into a united team rather than a group of talented individuals.

Queiroz, who is preparing for his first competitive matches since taking charge, believes a stronger collective identity is essential if Ghana are to compete consistently at the highest level.

"Our immediate assignment demands that we perform on the world stage right away. The focus has to shift from individual talent onto collective responsibility," he said.

"The job is clear: get the Black Stars to play as a cohesive, disciplined national team, not as disjointed individuals.

"Talent alone will not be enough; the squad must embrace sacrifice, humility and total commitment."

Ghana begin their Group C qualifying campaign with a demanding away fixture against Côte d'Ivoire at the Stade de la Paix in Bouaké on 24 September.

The Black Stars will then return home to face The Gambia at the Accra Sports Stadium on 27 September, with Queiroz seeking to build early momentum in the race for a place at AFCON 2027.

The international window concludes with a high-profile friendly against Morocco at the Grand Stade de Tanger on 4 October.