Former Ghana international Nii Odartey Lamptey says appointing an interim technical team for the Black Stars’ 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Somalia is the right decision.
Ghana are attempting to return to the continental tournament after failing to qualify for the 2025 edition in Morocco. However, their campaign began with two defeats, prompting the departure of head coach Carlos Queiroz.
The Black Stars were beaten 2-0 by Ivory Coast in Bouake before losing 4-2 to The Gambia at the Accra Sports Stadium. Those results have left Ghana’s hopes of reaching the tournament in jeopardy.
Queiroz subsequently resigned, leading the Ghana Football Association (GFA) and the Ministry of Sports and Recreation to begin the process of finding a permanent successor.
With Ghana preparing for next month’s Matchday Three and Four fixtures against Somalia, the five-member search committee has chosen an interim structure to manage the team.
Black Queens head coach Kim Lars Bjorkegren will take charge of the technical team. He will be assisted by Ibrahim Tanko and Godwin Attram, while former Ghana goalkeeper Fatawu Dauda has been named goalkeeper trainer.
Lamptey believes the temporary arrangement will allow the authorities to conduct a more thorough search for the right long-term appointment rather than rushing into a decision.
“It is a wise decision to settle on interim coaches for the Black Stars ahead of the Somalia games,” he told Asempa FM.
“I hope the committee doesn’t repeat the mistakes it has made in the past, so I believe they will take their time and settle on a new head coach for the long term,” he added.
The search committee was formed jointly by the GFA and the Ministry of Sports and Recreation after Queiroz’s departure. Its responsibility is to oversee the recruitment of Ghana’s next substantive head coach.
Ghana will play both of the qualifying matches against Somalia at the Accra Sports Stadium. The fixtures provide the Black Stars with an opportunity to revive their campaign and improve their prospects of qualifying for the 2027 AFCON.
The authorities are expected to appoint a permanent head coach before Ghana play their final qualifying matches next year. The recruitment process is under pressure to produce a lasting solution following the team’s disappointing start to the campaign.