GFA sacks Carlos Queiroz as Black Stars Head Coach

The Ghana Football Association (GFA) has sacked Carlos Queiroz as head coach of the Black Stars following their poor start to the 2027 AFCON qualifiers.

The GFA confirmed the Portuguese coach’s departure on Thursday, October 1, 2026, after discussions with him following Ghana’s opening two Group C matches.

Queiroz returned to the Black Stars in September after his initial short-term mandate, which included leading Ghana at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, had ended.

He was reappointed ahead of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers after guiding Ghana to the Round of 32 at the World Cup.

However, Ghana began the qualifiers with a 2-0 defeat to Côte d’Ivoire away from home on September 24.

Five days later, the Black Stars suffered another defeat at the Accra Sports Stadium after surrendering a two-goal lead to lose 4-2 to The Gambia.

The back-to-back defeats left Ghana without a point from its opening two Group C matches.

Queiroz was initially appointed in April on a short-term contract to lead Ghana at the 2026 World Cup. He guided the team into the Round of 32 before they were eliminated by Colombia following a 1-0 defeat.

The Portuguese coach ended his tenure with one win, two draws and four defeats in seven matches, scoring five goals and conceding 10.

His dismissal comes less than a month after the GFA reappointed him to lead the team into the next phase of its programme.

Following the defeat to The Gambia, Queiroz said he was prepared to step aside if his resignation would help Ghanaian football, while stressing that the final decision rested with the GFA.

“If my resignation will be the solution for Ghana football, I’d be the first one to resign,” he said.

The GFA has yet to announce a replacement for the Portuguese coach.