GFA confirms Anthony Baffoe's withdrawal from Black Stars coaching search committee

Former Ghana international Anthony Baffoe has withdrawn from the committee tasked with finding a new head coach for the Black Stars, the Ghana Football Association (GFA) has confirmed.

GFA Communications Director Henry Asante Twum said committee chairman Fred Pappoe informed the association’s Executive Council (EXCO) of Baffoe’s decision at a meeting last Thursday.

Baffoe was appointed to the five-member committee alongside former Black Stars captain Stephen Appiah, legal practitioner Agbesi Dzakpasu and high-performance specialist Faisal Chibsah, with Pappoe serving as chairman.

The committee was established jointly by the GFA and the Ministry of Sports and Recreation following the departure of Carlos Queiroz after Ghana’s disappointing start to their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying campaign.

Reports had suggested that both Baffoe and Chibsah had declined to serve on the committee. However, Asante Twum confirmed Baffoe’s withdrawal without providing a specific reason for his decision.

Speaking on Max FM, Asante Twum said the remaining four members had continued their work since being sworn in.

“The chairman of the search committee [Fred Pappoe] confirmed to the Executive Council that Anthony [Baffoe] was not part of the committee. This is based on the last meeting they held, which was last week, Thursday, which I was present for,” Asante Twum said.

“There was no reason given. All he said was that Tony had withdrawn. He mentioned that the four of them have been doing the job since they were sworn into office.”

The committee is expected to identify a permanent successor to Queiroz as Ghana seek to rebuild their campaign after consecutive defeats against Ivory Coast and The Gambia left them without a point from their opening two Group C qualifiers.

Those results have increased pressure on the Black Stars, who are attempting to secure qualification for the 2027 AFCON after missing the 2025 tournament in Morocco.

In the interim, the GFA and the Sports Ministry have appointed a temporary technical team led by Kim Lars Björkegren, with Ibrahim Tanko and Godwin Attram serving as assistant coaches. Former Ghana goalkeeper Fatawu Dauda has been named goalkeeping coach.

The interim team will oversee Ghana’s November qualifying matches against Somalia as the Black Stars attempt to revive their campaign.

The search for a permanent head coach remains a key priority for the GFA and the Sports Ministry, with an appointment expected before Ghana’s final round of qualifying matches next year.