Ghana assistant coach Ibrahim Tanko believes the Black Stars can recover from a difficult start and revive their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualification campaign, beginning with a crucial double-header against Somalia.
Ghana have suffered successive defeats by Cote d’Ivoire and The Gambia, leaving their hopes of reaching the tournament in serious danger. The results also led to the departure of Portuguese coach Carlos Queiroz and prompted the Ghana Football Association (GFA) to form an emergency technical team.
The new interim set-up is led by Black Queens coach Kim Lars Bjorkegren, with Tanko and former international Godwin Attram serving as assistants. Ex-Black Stars goalkeeper Fatawu Dauda has been appointed to oversee the goalkeepers.
Tanko, who is also head coach of Medeama SC, said he viewed his return to national-team duty as both an honour and a major responsibility.
“I am proud to be one of those who can help Ghana in this very tough situation,” he told Joy Sports last Saturday.
“For me, national duty is something special. I have served Ghana in different capacities, and whenever the opportunity comes to contribute, I see it as a privilege. The situation may be challenging, but we must be ready to give our best.”
Somalia fixtures offer chance to recover
Ghana will face Somalia in consecutive Group C qualifiers on November 12 and 16, with the two matches representing the first opportunity for the new technical team to change the direction of the campaign.
After losing to two of their group rivals, the Black Stars cannot afford more dropped points before qualifying resumes next year. Tanko believes victories against Somalia could rebuild confidence and create momentum ahead of more difficult fixtures.
“We cannot afford to look too far ahead without first taking care of the immediate task. The Somalia matches are our priority. If we can get the right results and build momentum, we can approach the next qualifiers with renewed confidence,” he said.
Ghana are scheduled to host Cote d’Ivoire on March 24, 2027, before travelling to play The Gambia four days later. Those matches could prove decisive in determining whether Ghana qualify.
Tanko also believes the team must restore its collective belief and ensure the players fully understand the importance of representing their country.
“Ghana has a very good squad, with quality players who can compete. What matters is getting everyone to believe in the collective objective, understanding the responsibility of wearing the national colours and translating our potential into performances on the pitch.”
Tanko brings international experience
Tanko holds a UEFA A Licence and won 20 senior caps for Ghana. He previously worked as an assistant to Kwasi Appiah during Appiah’s second spell as Black Stars coach between 2017 and 2019.
He also managed the home-based Black Stars B in 2020 and coached the national Under-23 side, the Black Meteors.
His national-team role comes alongside his work at Medeama, where he has become one of Ghana’s leading domestic coaches. He guided the Tarkwa-based club to the Ghana Premier League title last season and has kept them top of the league after nine matches.
The immediate task is to turn Ghana’s potential into results against Somalia and restore belief that the Black Stars can reach the 2027 AFCON, which will be staged jointly by Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania.
