Pressure is mounting on Ghana Football Association President Kurt Okraku and Black Stars head coach Carlos Queiroz following Ghana’s disastrous start to the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualification campaign.
Supporters, football administrators, analysts and politicians have questioned the direction of Ghana football after the Black Stars lost their opening two Group C matches against Côte d’Ivoire and The Gambia.
The latest setback—a humiliating 4-2 defeat to The Gambia at the Accra Sports Stadium—has intensified demands for accountability at both the technical and administrative levels.
Queiroz has accepted responsibility for the result but insists that his resignation alone would not solve the deeper problems affecting Ghana football.
Black Stars Collapse Against The Gambia
Ghana entered the home qualifier against The Gambia needing a response after losing 2-0 to Côte d’Ivoire in Bouaké.
The Black Stars appeared to be heading towards an important victory when Ernest Nuamah converted a penalty before Felix Afena-Gyan doubled the lead six minutes later. However, The Gambia recovered to level the match before half-time and scored twice more after the break to complete a remarkable 4-2 comeback.
The defeat left Ghana bottom of Group C without a point after two matches. The Gambia, meanwhile, moved to six points from their opening two fixtures.
For many Ghanaian supporters, the most alarming aspect of the result was not simply the defeat. It was the manner in which the Black Stars lost control after establishing a commanding 2-0 lead at home.
Defensive errors, poor game management, vulnerability during transitions and an inability to respond after conceding have all come under scrutiny.
Calls Grow for Kurt Okraku to Resign
Kurt Okraku’s leadership of the GFA has again become the focus of public criticism.
Former National Sports Authority Board Chairman Seth Panwum called on the GFA president to resign, arguing that new leadership could give Ghana football an opportunity to begin a comprehensive process of rebuilding, reform and restoration.
King Faisal owner Alhaji Karim Grusah has also demanded the resignation of Okraku and the Black Stars Management Committee following the consecutive qualifying defeats.
The criticism comes against the background of Ghana’s failure to qualify for the 2025 AFCON. The Black Stars finished bottom of their group without recording a victory, missing the continental tournament for the first time in more than two decades.
The poor start to another AFCON qualification campaign has therefore created fears that Ghana could miss consecutive editions of the competition.
Parliament Demands Answers From the GFA
The situation has also attracted the attention of Parliament.
Vincent Ekow Assafuah, Ranking Member of Parliament’s Select Committee on Sports, strongly criticised the current administration following the defeat to The Gambia. He argued that officials who believe they have failed in their public responsibilities should consider stepping aside.
Assafuah also said the committee would continue asking questions about the administration and direction of Ghana football.
The Chairman of Parliament’s Select Committee on Sports, Ernest Henry Norgbey, has indicated that the committee intends to invite the GFA and the Minister for Sports and Recreation to explain the Black Stars’ recent struggles.
Any parliamentary engagement should examine more than the results of two matches. It should address technical planning, expenditure, player welfare, national-team appointments, youth development and the long-term strategy for Ghana football.
Carlos Queiroz Rejects Calls to Step Down
Queiroz apologised to supporters and accepted responsibility for the defeat, asking critics to direct their anger towards him instead of the players.
However, the Portuguese coach rejected the suggestion that resigning would automatically improve the national team.
“If you believe that with the coach resigning, you can change the situation of football in Ghana, I’ll be the first one to resign. I don’t have that belief,” Queiroz said, adding that his future must ultimately be assessed by the GFA leadership.
Queiroz also pointed to Ghana’s injury problems, claiming that as many as 24 players from the senior national-team pool were unavailable. Nevertheless, his record remains a major source of concern. The Black Stars have reportedly recorded only one victory in seven matches under his management.
Injuries can affect preparation and team selection, but they do not fully explain Ghana’s failure to protect a two-goal lead at home. The coaching staff must take responsibility for the team’s organisation, substitutions, defensive structure and response to pressure.
Can Ghana Still Qualify for AFCON 2027?
The Black Stars’ position is extremely difficult, but qualification is not yet mathematically impossible.
Two teams will qualify from each four-team group, and Ghana still have four matches remaining. The next qualifying window is scheduled for November 9–17, 2026, before the final two matchdays in March 2027.
Ghana must now target maximum points against Somalia while also producing positive results in the return matches against The Gambia and Côte d’Ivoire.
There is little room for further mistakes. Another defeat—particularly against Somalia—could leave qualification beyond Ghana’s control.
What the GFA and Black Stars Must Do to Improve
Conduct an immediate technical review
The GFA should commission a transparent review of the defeats to Côte d’Ivoire and The Gambia. It must examine preparation, player selection, tactics, substitutions, fitness levels and communication between the coaching staff and management.
The review should establish measurable performance targets for Queiroz ahead of the November qualifiers.
Improve defensive organisation and game management
A team leading 2-0 at home must know how to control the match. Ghana need a more compact midfield, better protection against counter-attacks and clearer leadership when momentum begins to change.
The Black Stars must also improve their defensive concentration, particularly immediately after scoring or conceding.
Build a stable national-team core
Constant squad changes make it difficult to develop partnerships and tactical understanding. The technical team should identify a reliable core while maintaining genuine competition for places.
Selection must be based on form, fitness and suitability for the system—not reputation or external influence.
Strengthen medical and player-monitoring systems
The number of reported injuries raises questions about player monitoring and communication between the national team and clubs.
The GFA should establish a central performance and medical database covering player fitness, workload, injuries and recovery. This would help the technical team prepare alternatives before international windows begin.
Develop a clear pathway for local talent
Ghana cannot depend entirely on late recruitment or overseas-based players. The GFA must connect the Black Stars more effectively with the Black Galaxies, under-23 team, youth national teams and domestic league.
Promising local players should receive structured opportunities to train with the senior team and learn the national side’s tactical principles.
Improve transparency and accountability
The GFA should publish a clear recovery plan detailing its objectives for qualification, youth development, coaching, scouting and national-team administration.
Supporters deserve regular communication about decisions affecting the Black Stars. Transparency will not immediately change results, but it can begin restoring public trust.
Resignation Alone Will Not Repair Ghana Football
The demands for Kurt Okraku and Carlos Queiroz to resign reflect genuine frustration among Ghanaian football supporters. Consecutive qualifying defeats, another damaging home collapse and the memory of missing the previous AFCON have made public anger understandable.
However, changing the GFA president or head coach without addressing the structural weaknesses behind the Black Stars’ decline would offer only a temporary response.
The immediate priority is to decide whether the current leadership still has a credible plan. If Okraku and Queiroz remain in their positions, they must present clear targets, accept proper scrutiny and deliver an urgent turnaround in November.
Ghana still possess enough talent to recover, but reputation will not win qualification matches. The Black Stars need stronger leadership, better organisation and a system capable of turning individual quality into consistent results.
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