Qualification for major tournaments not a sign of success, says Ghana coach Carlos Queiroz

Black Stars head coach Carlos Queiroz has urged Ghana to focus on building a culture of sustained success rather than treating qualification for major tournaments as the ultimate achievement.

The 73-year-old believes the national team must develop into a side capable of consistently reaching major competitions and challenging for trophies over a prolonged period.

Speaking ahead of Ghana’s 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier against The Gambia, Queiroz stressed that the world’s most successful national teams are defined by their ability to maintain high standards year after year.

“Qualifying for one or two tournaments is not a sign of success. The most successful teams don’t also win just one tournament here and there. They win one, go on and win two, three, four and so on,” Queiroz said.

His remarks come at a crucial moment for the Black Stars, who are looking to bounce back from a disappointing start to their AFCON qualifying campaign.

Ghana suffered a 2-0 defeat to Côte d’Ivoire in Bouaké in their opening Group C fixture, leaving them under pressure to secure a positive result when they host The Gambia at the Accra Sports Stadium on Tuesday, September 29.

The four-time African champions are also determined to avoid a repeat of the disappointment that saw them miss out on qualification for the 2025 AFCON in Morocco.

That failure brought to an end Ghana’s streak of more than two decades of consecutive appearances at the continental tournament, increasing the importance of a strong response in the current qualifying campaign.

Queiroz, however, believes the bigger objective extends beyond reaching the next tournament, insisting Ghana must lay the foundations for long-term competitiveness and sustained success on the African stage.