Ghana Football Association Communications Director Henry Asante Twum says Kim Lars Bjorkegren is prepared to take charge of the interim Black Stars technical team while continuing as head coach of the Black Queens.
The Swedish coach has been appointed to oversee Ghana’s November 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Somalia. He will be assisted by Ibrahim Tanko and Godwin Attram, with Fatawu Dauda working as goalkeepers’ coach.
Bjorkegren will retain responsibility for the Black Queens, who are preparing for their FIFA Women’s World Cup qualifying play-offs. Asante Twum said the coach welcomed the opportunity and was keen to test himself in the expanded role.
“He loves the challenge. At least, I spent the day with him, and I know he is ready to take it on. He also feels that it is time to test himself,” Asante Twum said.
The GFA communications director explained that the men’s and women’s international schedules would allow Bjorkegren to handle the assignments one after the other, rather than having to manage both teams at the same time.
Speaking on TV3’s Sports Station show, he said: “The Black Stars and Black Meteors’ games will run from the early part of November to the middle of the month. The Black Queens’ games will be at the end of November and into the first week of December.”
Asante Twum said the short preparation periods would not create a major problem for the 44-year-old because the two international windows do not overlap.
“However, these matches fall within different time intervals. The Black Stars and Black Meteors’ games will run from the early part of November to the middle of the month. The Black Queens’ games will be at the end of November and into the first week of December.
“So, he has that luxury. The women’s international window is completely different from the men’s international window. While the women are playing, the men are on a break, and when the men resume, the women also have their turn.”
Bjorkegren already has experience within the Black Stars set-up, having served as one of Otto Addo’s assistants during preparations for the 2022 World Cup. His work at that time included involvement in friendly matches against Austria and Germany.
The interim appointment gives him the chance to lead Ghana’s senior men’s side as the Black Stars attempt to recover from defeats by Cote d’Ivoire and The Gambia in their opening Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
Asante Twum called for support for Bjorkegren during the temporary assignment before he returns to his position with the Black Queens.
