Ghana will enter the September international window with a familiar face back in charge after the Ghana Football Association reappointed Carlos Queiroz as head coach of the Black Stars, bringing the experienced Portuguese manager back for another spell after he led the country at this year’s FIFA World Cup.
Queiroz took charge in April and guided Ghana to the last 32 before their campaign ended with a 1-0 defeat to Colombia.
The 73-year-old subsequently appeared to announce his departure on social media, but after further discussions with the GFA, the association has opted to restore him to the position ahead of another important phase of Ghana’s international programme.
The GFA has not disclosed the length of Queiroz’s new contract, saying only that he will be responsible for preparing the Black Stars for “a successful new phase on the international stage.”
“The GFA believes Queiroz’s extensive international experience, technical expertise and knowledge of the Black Stars position him strongly to lead the team into this next chapter,” the association said.
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Queiroz brings a substantial international CV to the job. The Portuguese has previously managed Iran, Portugal and Egypt at major tournaments, while his coaching career has also included spells with South Africa, Colombia and Qatar.
At club level, he twice served as an assistant to Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United. Now, however, his immediate concern is Ghana’s return to competitive African football.
The Black Stars have been drawn in Group C alongside Cote d’Ivoire, The Gambia and Somalia, putting them in one of the groups with an immediate heavyweight contest.
Ghana’s first major assignment of the qualifying campaign will therefore come against Cote d’Ivoire, before the Black Stars face The Gambia in their second fixture.
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The first two AFCON 2027 qualifying rounds fall inside the September international window, meaning the Portuguese coach has little time to settle back into the job before Ghana begin their campaign.
His experience will be tested immediately, and so will Ghana’s ability to turn a coaching change into a strong start in a group containing one of Africa’s leading sides.
With qualification for the 2027 AFCON now the immediate target, Queiroz’s second Black Stars chapter begins under pressure and against one of the continent’s biggest rivals.
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