Carlos Queiroz sacked as Black Stars head coach after disastrous AFCON qualifier start

The Ghana Football Association (GFA) has announced the dismissal of Carlos Queiroz as head coach of the Black Stars, with the two parties mutually agreeing to part ways following a disastrous start to the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign.

The departure was made official on Thursday, October 1, 2026, following a meeting between the GFA and the Portuguese trainer after Ghana’s first two Group C matches, in which the Black Stars suffered back-to-back defeats to Côte d’Ivoire and The Gambia, leaving them bottom of the group with zero points.

Queiroz, 73, issued an official statement confirming the mutual termination. “Following discussions held in a spirit of mutual respect, the Ghana Football Association and I have mutually agreed to terminate the Service Agreement governing my role as Head Coach of the Ghana National Team, the Black Stars,” the statement read. “This was not an easy decision, but both parties agreed that, under the present circumstances, ending our professional relationship was the most appropriate course of action, with the interests of Ghana, the Black Stars and Ghanaian football above everything else”.

He added: “It has been an honour to serve Ghana and the Black Stars. I sincerely thank the Ghana Football Association and particularly its President for their trust and for the opportunity to lead such a proud football nation. I came to Ghana determined to help build a stronger future for the Black Stars and support the development of the country’s talent. Despite our commitment and efforts, the necessary conditions were not fully established, and our recent performance added to the decision to bring this journey to an end. I leave with respect, gratitude and pride”.

A Tumultuous Tenure

Queiroz was first appointed in April 2026 following the dismissal of Otto Addo in March after a poor run of results. He led Ghana to the Round of 32 at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, but his contract expired after the tournament. He was reappointed on September 2, 2026, for a new mandate.

His second spell proved brief. Across his seven matches in charge, Ghana recorded just one win, two draws and four defeats, scoring five goals and conceding 10. The only victory came against Panama at the World Cup, while defeats included losses to Croatia, Colombia, Côte d’Ivoire and The Gambia.

The Final Straw: Gambia Collapse

The decisive blow came on Tuesday, September 29, 2026, when Ghana surrendered a 2-0 lead to lose 4-2 to The Gambia at the Accra Sports Stadium. Ernest Nuamah converted a 27th-minute penalty and Felix Afena-Gyan doubled the advantage six minutes later. But The Gambia responded with two goals in the 37th and 42nd minutes through Muhammed Badamosi and captain Omar Colley to level at half-time. After the break, Ebrima Colley scored in the 68th minute and added a fourth in stoppage time to complete a stunning comeback.

The defeat followed a 2-0 loss to Côte d’Ivoire in Bouaké on September 24, leaving Ghana without a point after two matches. Côte d’Ivoire and The Gambia both have six points, while Somalia and Ghana are level on zero.

Speaking after the Gambia defeat, Queiroz said he would not resign. Stand-in captain Gideon Mensah attributed the loss to “a combination of bad luck and an underwhelming performance”.

What Queiroz Leaves Behind

In his farewell statement, Queiroz paid tribute to the players: “Above all, I pay tribute to the players of the Black Stars. Thank you to all of them who represented Ghana with courage, commitment and pride. You fought for your country and carried the hopes of millions. Believe in these players. Protect them. Support them. The talent and potential are there. With unity, support and the right environment, this generation can achieve great things for Ghana”.

He concluded: “To the Ghanaian people and all Black Stars supporters, thank you for your passion, support and warmth. I will always carry Ghana with me with respect and affection. Ghana comes first. The Black Stars come first. Ghanaian football comes first. Thank you, Ghana. To the Future.”

Who Takes Over?

The GFA has not yet announced a replacement for Queiroz. Assistant coach Desmond Ofei has reportedly emerged as a leading candidate for an interim role. Other names previously linked to the job include former West Ham and Croatia coach Slaven Bilić and Belgian tactician Tom Saintfiet, who led The Gambia to the 2021 AFCON quarterfinals.

With Ghana’s 2027 AFCON qualifying campaign in crisis—four rounds remaining in November 2026 and March 2027—the new coach will face an immediate challenge to revive the Black Stars’ hopes of reaching the tournament in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania. The team has not won an AFCON qualifier since 2023 and failed to qualify for the 2025 edition.