Black Stars search panel reports today with interim coach expected

Update, October 27: The GFA confirmed on October 21 that Anthony Baffoe withdrew from the search committee, which has worked with four members. An earlier version of this article had been amended to list him as a member; that amendment has been reversed.

Today is the deadline for the committee searching for Ghana's next Black Stars coach to submit its report. But according to ModernGhana, the first outcome may be an interim appointment rather than a permanent one.

Interim coach for Somalia double-header

ModernGhana reports that the search committee is expected to recommend an interim coach to lead the Black Stars in November's two Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Somalia. The committee's mandate is then expected to be extended so it can continue working towards a permanent appointment.

Neither the GFA nor the Ministry of Sports and Recreation has publicly confirmed that approach.

The committee

The panel is chaired by Fred Pappoe and includes former Black Stars captain Stephen Appiah, high-performance specialist Faisal Chibsah and lawyer Agbesi Dzakpasu. Anthony Baffoe, who was named as a fifth member, withdrew.

Not everyone is convinced a committee was the right route. Former GFA Vice-President George Afriyie told 3News he questioned the need for the panel, arguing that the GFA should already have identified potential replacements before Carlos Queiroz left.

The names in the frame

Several names have surfaced since Queiroz's departure, although none has been confirmed by the authorities:

• Pape Thiaw: the former Senegal head coach was reported by Gambian outlet GamFoot, via Pulse Ghana, to be close to a deal. The GFA has not confirmed any agreement.
• Laryea Kingston: the former Black Stars midfielder has expressed interest in the role, according to Graphic Online.
• Dwight Yorke: the former Manchester United striker has said he is very much interested in the job, Adomonline reports.

The conditions

Whoever is chosen will have to meet the requirements set out by the Ministry and the GFA after their meeting on October 2. According to Graphic Online and 3News, the next head coach must live in Ghana and regularly monitor the domestic league. Adomonline also reports that a new National Technical Management Committee must be consulted before an appointment is made.

No time to waste

The stakes could hardly be higher. Ghana have lost both of their opening 2027 AFCON qualifiers and sit bottom of Group C, six points behind The Gambia. The November double-header against Somalia, expected to be played in Accra, is now a must-win pair of matches, whoever is in the dugout.

Photo: Jeanpierrekepseu / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0