GFA and Sports Ministry target November deadline to appoint new Black Stars coach

The Ghana Football Association (GFA) is targeting November 2026 to appoint a substantive head coach for the Black Stars following the departure of Carlos Queiroz.

GFA Communications Director Henry Asante Twum says the committee tasked with finding a successor is expected to conclude its work around the time Ghana completes its two Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying matches against Somalia next month.

Kim Lars Björkegren, who coaches the Black Queens, has been appointed on an interim basis to lead the senior men's national team for the two fixtures.

The five-member committee recommended Björkegren for the temporary role, with Ibrahim Tanko and Godwin Attram serving as his assistants. Former Black Stars goalkeeper Fatawu Dauda will continue as goalkeepers' trainer.

Speaking to Luv FM, Asante Twum said the GFA expects clarity on the appointment after the Somalia matches.

“They [the committee] want to get us a coach by November. In terms of actuals, I don’t have, but I know by the end of the two games against Somalia, they will be in a position to tell who our coach is,” he said.

However, Asante Twum stressed that the immediate priority is to revive Ghana’s struggling AFCON qualifying campaign rather than focus on the coaching search.

“The two games ahead of us are more important than any other subject. We need to get back on track and must get results in the next matches,” he added.

The Black Stars are bottom of Group C without a point after losing their opening two qualifying matches against Ivory Coast and The Gambia.

Ghana will hope to secure maximum points from the back-to-back encounters with Somalia, with both matches expected to be played on home soil.

The four-time African champions missed the 2025 AFCON in Morocco after finishing bottom of their qualifying group, and they are under pressure to avoid another absence from the continental tournament.

With the search for a permanent coach ongoing, the November fixtures will provide Björkegren and his technical team with an immediate opportunity to help Ghana get their qualification campaign back on course.