Former Ghana Football Association (GFA) Technical Director Francis Oti Akenteng has accused the organisation of showing continued disregard for Ghanaian coaches by repeatedly overlooking them for senior national team roles.
Oti Akenteng’s criticism follows the GFA’s decision to appoint Black Queens head coach Kim Lars Bjorkegren as interim manager of the Black Stars for next month’s crucial 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying double-header against Somalia.
The Swedish coach will lead a temporary technical team that includes Medeama SC head coach Ibrahim Tanko and former Ghana international Godwin Attram as his assistants. Fatawu Dauda will continue as goalkeeper coach.
Oti Akenteng believes the appointment once again highlights what he considers to be a lack of trust in local coaches, despite the availability of qualified candidates in Ghana.
“There are local coaches who are capable of coaching the Black Stars,” he told Asempa FM.
The former technical director said appointing Ghanaian coaches to lead the senior national team would give them greater confidence and help strengthen the country’s coaching profession over the long term.
The Black Stars are looking for a permanent head coach after Carlos Queiroz left his position following Ghana’s disappointing opening to the 2027 AFCON qualifying campaign.
A five-member search committee has been formed by the GFA in partnership with the Ministry of Sports and Recreation. Its task is to identify and recommend the next permanent head coach of the senior national team.
Bjorkegren and his assistants will remain in charge while that process continues, with their immediate responsibility being to prepare Ghana for the two matches against Somalia next month.
The Black Stars are under significant pressure after losing both of their opening Group C fixtures. The four-time African champions are bottom of the group without a point.
Ghana must win both matches against Somalia if they are to revive their qualification campaign and improve their chances of returning to the Africa Cup of Nations. They missed the previous edition, which was held in Morocco.
