The Ghana Football Association, in consultation with the Ministry of Sports and Recreation and the Black Stars Coach Search Committee, has extended the application deadline for the vacant Black Stars head coach position to 15 October 2026, AhotorSports can confirm.
The announcement was made on Friday, 9 October 2026, after the committee’s initial engagements and a preliminary review. The move is intended to widen the pool of suitably qualified candidates and support a more structured and comprehensive recruitment process that aligns with the long-term interests of the Black Stars and Ghanaian football.
The position became vacant on 1 October 2026 when Portuguese coach Carlos Queiroz and the GFA mutually agreed to terminate his contract.
Queiroz had been reappointed in early September 2026 after previously leading Ghana at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, where the team reached the Round of 32. His departure followed a poor start to the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers. Ghana lost 2-0 away to Côte d’Ivoire on 24 September and then suffered a 4-2 home defeat to The Gambia on 29 September at the Accra Sports Stadium, having led 2-0 through goals from Ernest Nuamah and Felix Afena-Gyan before collapsing.
Those results left the four-time African champions bottom of Group C without a point. The mutual termination was described as having taken place in a spirit of mutual respect, with both parties prioritising the interests of Ghanaian football.
Queiroz had faced strong pressure and resignation calls after the Gambia match but initially resisted, arguing that his departure alone would not resolve deeper problems in Ghanaian football.
On 2 October 2026, following a meeting between GFA leadership and the Ministry of Sports and Recreation in Accra, a five-member Black Stars Coach Search Committee was formed and tasked with identifying, evaluating and recommending a suitable candidate.
The committee is chaired by former GFA Vice-President Fred Pappoe and includes Anthony Baffoe, General Secretary of the Professional Footballers Association of Ghana and a former Ghana international; Agbesi Dzakpasu, a legal practitioner and football administrator; Stephen Appiah, former Black Stars captain; and Faisal Chibsah, a high-performance specialist. Sports Minister Kofi Adams publicly announced the committee’s formation around 3 October as part of broader efforts to rebuild confidence in Ghanaian football amid concerns over national team performance and management.
The committee was originally expected to submit its report by 9 October 2026. Applications and CVs were directed to the official GFA email channel for coaching applications.
The extension of the deadline to 15 October 2026 gives interested candidates additional time to apply and allows the committee to carry out a thorough evaluation. The process of assessing, interviewing and shortlisting candidates will continue through October and November 2026, with a final recommendation to be submitted afterwards. Candidates will be judged on technical competence, leadership qualities, cultural understanding and high-performance standards.
The GFA has stressed that the appointment should not be treated merely as a recruitment exercise but as an opportunity to establish a stronger football identity, reinforce high-performance standards and create a sustainable foundation for future success.
The objective is to identify the individual best suited to shape the future direction of Ghana football rather than simply the most qualified coach on paper. This approach marks a deliberate shift from the original tight timetable toward a transparent, merit-based process involving due diligence, background checks and consultations with key football stakeholders and technical experts.
Because the permanent appointment will not be finalised before the next international window, an interim technical team will be appointed to take charge of the Black Stars during the November fixtures, scheduled for the 9–17 November window.
The interim team will prepare and manage the side for those matches, maintain continuity in the national team programme, support player monitoring and engagement, and help ensure a smooth transition once a permanent head coach is appointed.
This arrangement allows the search committee to complete a rigorous process without compromising the team’s immediate competitive responsibilities as it seeks to revive its AFCON 2027 qualifying campaign.
Ghana’s difficulties extend beyond the recent results. The Black Stars failed to qualify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, their first absence in more than two decades, intensifying scrutiny of structures, culture and performance pathways.
The Ministry and GFA have discussed wider reforms covering national team management, coaching arrangements, youth development pathways for the under-15, under-17 and under-20 teams, and a requirement that the next head coach reside in Ghana and regularly monitor the domestic league.
GFA leadership has reaffirmed its commitment to a transparent and professional process that serves the long-term interests of Ghanaian football.
