The Ghana Football Association (GFA) and Portuguese coach Carlos Queiroz have agreed to end his tenure as head coach of the national team, effective 1 October 2026. The decision followed discussions described as respectful and was driven by the need to prioritise the interests of Ghanaian football.
The move comes only two days after a damaging 4-2 home defeat to The Gambia in a 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier. Ghana had taken a 2-0 lead through Ernest Nuamah and Felix Afena-Gyan but collapsed, conceding four goals. That result left the Black Stars bottom of Group C with no points from their opening two fixtures, after an earlier 2-0 loss to Côte d’Ivoire.
How Queiroz arrived and what followed
Queiroz, 73, was first hired in April 2026 on a short-term contract after Otto Addo’s dismissal. The GFA turned to the experienced Portuguese coach known for his work with Portugal, Iran, Egypt and other national sides, plus two spells as assistant to Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United to steady the team ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
At the World Cup, Ghana finished third in Group L with a 1-0 win over Panama, a goalless draw against England and a 2-1 defeat to Croatia. They advanced as one of the best third-placed sides before exiting 1-0 to Colombia in the Round of 32. Queiroz then stepped down in early July, praising the players for restoring credibility while pointing to wider structural challenges off the pitch.
The GFA brought him back on 2 September to oversee the AFCON 2027 qualifying campaign, citing his international know-how and existing familiarity with the squad. That second spell lasted just two competitive games.
The results that sealed the end
Away to Côte d’Ivoire: 0-2 loss.
Home to The Gambia: 2-4 defeat after surrendering a two-goal lead.
After the Gambia match, Queiroz accepted full responsibility, apologised to supporters and rejected immediate resignation. He argued that stepping down would be the simplest option but would not solve deeper problems in Ghanaian football, adding that his future depended on the GFA, results and “God.”
Across both periods in charge, his overall record stood at one win, two draws and four defeats from seven matches (five goals scored, ten conceded), a win rate of roughly 14 percent. The only victory came against Panama at the World Cup.
The official farewell
In a joint statement, Queiroz said the parties had mutually agreed that ending the relationship was the most appropriate step under the circumstances. He thanked the GFA and its president for the opportunity, expressed gratitude to his staff and the players, and urged Ghanaians to continue supporting the squad:
“Believe in these players. Protect them. Support them. The talent and potential are there.”
He closed by stressing that Ghana, the Black Stars and Ghanaian football come first.
What this leaves behind
Queiroz’s brief second spell highlighted ongoing difficulties for the Black Stars: limited preparation time, player availability issues, cancelled friendlies and longer-term structural shortcomings. Critics noted the cost of reappointing a high-profile coach only for the arrangement to unravel after two matches. The GFA now faces the task of finding a new coach while Ghana sits at the bottom of its AFCON qualifying group and must still play remaining fixtures, including against Somalia.
No successor has been named yet. The association is expected to move quickly to appoint an interim or permanent replacement.
Story by : Emmanuel Nettey
