Former Ghana Football Association vice-president George Afriyie has questioned whether Desmond Ofei is the right person to succeed Carlos Queiroz as head coach of the Black Stars.
Queiroz took charge of Ghana on a short-term contract after Otto Addo was dismissed in March. The Portuguese coach agreed a four-month deal in April, which is expected to conclude with the Ghana Football Association set to review his position.
Under Queiroz, Ghana reached the knockout stage of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America. The Black Stars progressed to the last 32 of the tournament, but his future remains uncertain as the national team prepares for the next phase of its international programme.
The GFA is expected to make a decision on whether Queiroz will continue in the role before Ghana begin their qualifying campaign for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations.
Ofei has emerged as one of the leading candidates for the senior national-team job. He is currently working with the Black Meteors as they prepare for the Olympic Games qualifiers, having previously coached Ghana’s Under-20 side.
Afriyie, who also served as chairman of the Black Stars Management Committee, has expressed strong reservations about Ofei’s potential appointment.
“If today we are looking for a coach for the Black Stars and Desmond Ofei is the answer, then we have a problem,” he said.
His comments come with Ghana facing the task of rebuilding its senior side ahead of the 2027 AFCON qualifying campaign. The team is due to reassemble in September, with the immediate objective of securing a return to the continental tournament.
Ghana failed to qualify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, increasing the importance of the forthcoming qualification programme for the Black Stars. The GFA must therefore determine whether to retain Queiroz, who guided the team through the World Cup, or appoint a new coach before the qualifiers begin.
Afriyie also criticised Queiroz’s tactical philosophy, despite Ghana’s progress to the knockout phase at the World Cup.
“As for Carlos Queiroz, I don’t like his defensive approach. It’s old-fashioned,” he added.
The GFA’s decision on Queiroz is expected to shape the direction of the national team before the September camp. Ofei’s involvement with the Black Meteors has placed him among the names being considered, although Afriyie’s comments underline the debate surrounding his suitability for the senior role.
For now, Queiroz remains the coach who led Ghana at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, while the association weighs its options ahead of the 2027 AFCON qualifiers.
