The Ghana Football Association (GFA) says Kim Lars Bjorkegren’s appointment to the Black Stars’ interim technical team will not disrupt the Black Queens’ preparations for their 2027 Women’s World Cup play-offs.
Bjorkegren has been placed in charge of Ghana’s interim team for the Black Stars’ 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying double-header against Somalia.
He will be supported by assistant coaches Ibrahim Tanko and Godwin Attram, while former Ghana goalkeeper Fatawu Dauda has been appointed goalkeeper trainer.
The decision has drawn criticism from parts of the media and public, amid concerns that the Swedish coach could struggle to manage responsibilities involving both national teams.
However, GFA Communications Director Henry Asante Twum said those concerns had been considered before Bjorkegren was selected.
“The committee looked within and settled on Kim Lars Bjorkegren because he is the best-performing coach in terms of the national teams, so I don’t think it will be a challenge for him,” he told Asempa FM’s Ultimate Sports Show.
“We are aware that the Black Queens will prepare next month for the World Cup play-offs, but I don’t think that his appointment will be a hindrance.”
The Black Queens’ play-offs begin next month, while Bjorkegren’s immediate task with the Black Stars will be to revive their struggling AFCON qualifying campaign.
Ghana lost their opening two matches against Ivory Coast and The Gambia. Those results have left the four-time African champions bottom of Group C without a point and increased doubts over their prospects of reaching the tournament.
The Black Stars will play both Matchday Three and Matchday Four against Somalia at the Accra Sports Stadium as they attempt to recover from their poor start.
Asante Twum also outlined the reasoning behind the rest of the interim team. He said the selection committee wanted to retain a link with the previous Black Stars setup, which led to Attram’s appointment after he served as an assistant coach under former head coach Carlos Queiroz.
“The committee felt we have to look at someone who worked with Carlos Queiroz, and it is obviously Godwin Attram,” he said.
Tanko’s inclusion, meanwhile, was supported by his recent domestic record. Asante Twum pointed to his success in the Ghana Premier League, where he is the defending champion and currently leads the table.
“Ibrahim Tanko is the best coach in the country at the moment. He is the defending champion of the Ghana Premier League and currently sits at the top of the league,” he added.
The interim technical team has been tasked with overseeing Ghana’s crucial double-header while the GFA and the Ministry of Sports and Recreation continue their search for a permanent head coach.
The authorities are expected to appoint a substantive coach before Ghana’s final round of qualifying matches next year, with the team’s early defeats adding pressure to that decision.
