2027 AFCON Qualifiers: Gambia defeat does not make me a loser, says Ghana coach Carlos Queiroz

Black Stars head coach Carlos Queiroz has defended his international coaching record, insisting that Ghana's 4-2 defeat by The Gambia does not make him a loser.

The Portuguese coach was speaking after Ghana suffered a second consecutive defeat in their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign at the Accra Sports Stadium on Tuesday.

Ghana appeared to be in complete control after taking a two-goal lead against The Gambia, but the Scorpions produced a stunning comeback to score four unanswered goals and leave the Black Stars without a point from their opening two Group C matches.

The result has intensified scrutiny on Queiroz, with questions already being raised about his position following Ghana's disastrous start to the qualifying campaign.

However, the 73-year-old remained defiant when asked about his coaching credentials and whether the latest defeat had damaged his reputation.

“I’m still the coach with the record for most wins in international football. This result doesn’t make me a loser,” Queiroz said after the match.

The former Portugal and Iran coach had earlier admitted that he would be prepared to resign if the Ghana Football Association believes his departure would help address the problems facing the national team.

“If my resignation will be the solution for Ghana football, I’d be the first one to resign. But this is a decision I’ll leave for the federation,” he said.

Queiroz returned to lead the Black Stars after Ghana's participation at the 2026 Fifa World Cup, with the primary task of guiding the team back to the Africa Cup of Nations after their failure to qualify for the 2025 tournament in Morocco.

But Ghana's campaign has started disastrously.

They opened their qualifying campaign with a 2-0 defeat by Côte d’Ivoire in Bouaké before surrendering a two-goal lead to lose 4-2 against The Gambia at home.

The Black Stars are now without a point from their first two matches and face a difficult task to revive their hopes of reaching the 2027 tournament.

Ghana will return to action in October when they face Somalia in a double-header at the Accra Sports Stadium.

The four-time African champions are seeking a return to the continental showpiece after missing the previous edition in Morocco.