Kim Lars Björkegren is ready to lead Black Stars and Black Queens

Ghana Football Association (GFA) Communications Director Henry Asante Twum says Kim Lars Björkegren is ready to take on the challenge of leading the interim Black Stars technical team while continuing as head coach of the Black Queens.

The Swedish coach has been appointed to lead the Black Stars for their back-to-back matches against Somalia in the third and fourth rounds of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers.

Ghana are bottom of Group C without a point after opening their campaign with defeats against Côte d’Ivoire and The Gambia, prompting the departure of former coach Carlos Queiroz.

However, Asante Twum says Björkegren has welcomed the opportunity to lead the senior men's team and is eager to test himself in the role.

“He loves the challenge. At least, I spent the day with him, and I know he is ready to take it on. He also feels that it is time to test himself,” he told TV3.

Björkegren will work alongside Ibrahim Tanko and Godwin Attram as assistant coaches, with Fatawu Dauda appointed goalkeepers’ coach.

The 44-year-old also has responsibility for the Black Queens, who are preparing for their FIFA Women's World Cup qualifying play-offs.

Asante Twum believes the scheduling of the men's and women's international fixtures will allow the coach to manage both assignments without a direct clash.

“The Black Stars and Black Meteors' games will run from the early part of November to the middle of the month. The Black Queens' games will be at the end of November and into the first week of December,” he said on TV3's Sports Station programme.

He added that the separate international windows would give Björkegren enough room to switch between the two national teams.

“While the women are playing, the men are on a break, and when the men resume, the women also have their turn,” Asante Twum said.

Björkegren is not entirely new to the Black Stars setup, having previously served as one of Otto Addo's assistants during preparations for the 2022 FIFA World Cup, including friendly matches against Austria and Germany.

His interim appointment presents an opportunity to lead Ghana's senior men's team as they seek to revive their AFCON qualifying campaign.

Asante Twum has urged Ghanaians to support the coach as he takes charge of the Black Stars before returning his attention to the Black Queens.