Nii Odartey Lamptey: Black Stars need coach who understands Ghana football

Former Ghana international Nii Odartey Lamptey says the next Black Stars coach must understand the wider challenges facing Ghanaian football.

The Ghana Football Association (GFA) and Carlos Queiroz parted ways last week after the Black Stars made a poor start to their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign.

The GFA and the Sports Ministry have since formed a five-member technical search committee to identify and recommend candidates for the vacant position.

The committee is expected to submit its report on Friday, 9 October.

Lamptey believes the next coach must have a broader understanding of Ghana's football environment and not focus exclusively on the senior national team.

"We have to make sure that the next person we appoint will know our situation," Lamptey told 3Sports.

"It is not about the Black Stars; our football has gone down."

Ghana began their Group C qualifying campaign with a 2-0 defeat by Ivory Coast before suffering another setback against The Gambia.

The Black Stars appeared to be in control after taking a 2-0 lead at the Accra Sports Stadium, but conceded four goals to lose 4-2 and remain without a point after two matches.

The results have increased pressure on the GFA and raised concerns over Ghana's chances of returning to the Africa Cup of Nations after they missed the 2025 tournament in Morocco.

The Black Stars will have an opportunity to revive their campaign in October when they face Somalia in a double-header, with both matches scheduled to be played at the Accra Sports Stadium.

Meanwhile, reports suggest the search committee is expected to recommend an interim coach to take charge of the two matches against Somalia before a permanent head coach is appointed.