Ghana seeks new coach by email after Queiroz sacking, four matches left for AFCON 2027 spot
Ghana's football federation is asking candidates to send CVs to an email address published on its website, with a five-member expert panel to review applications. The search follows the dismissal of Carlos Queiroz after a poor run of Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
An unusual open call for applicants
Ghana's football federation has opened its search for a new national team coach by inviting applications by email. Candidates can send their CVs to the address listed on the federation's website, and a five-member group of experts will assess the submissions. Sports outlets describe the method as very unusual, since national federations generally approach coaches or their agents directly.
Queiroz's dismissal
Portuguese coach Carlos Queiroz lost his job after Ghana's weak start in the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers. During the last international break, the team lost 0:2 to Ivory Coast and then lost 2:4 at home to Gambia, even though it had led by two goals in that match. Queiroz took charge in April 2026, replacing Otto Addo, and his tenure ended after the September defeats.
The selection panel
The five-member panel includes former Ghana international Stephen Appiah and German Anthony Baffoe. The federation has framed the process as a way to make the choice of successor as transparent as possible. The panel will evaluate every application that arrives by email, and the articles do not say when a decision is expected.
The qualification race
Four matches remain in the four-team group. The top two sides will qualify for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations, which Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania will host. Ghana must win all of its remaining matches to keep realistic hopes of qualifying. The country did not take part in the previous edition, held in Morocco in 2026, and missing the next tournament would be a serious blow for a nation where football carries particular weight.
Coaching background
Otto Addo led Ghana to the 2026 World Cup but left before the tournament, after friendly defeats to Austria (1:5) and Germany (1:2). At the World Cup, Ghana advanced from its group before losing 0:1 to Colombia in the round of 16. The team has won the Africa Cup of Nations four times, and in 2010 it reached the World Cup quarter-finals in South Africa, where it lost to Uruguay on penalties.
