The Ghana Football Association (GFA) has announced that it will not immediately name a substantive head coach for the senior national team, the Black Stars. Instead, the football governing body has extended the application deadline for the vacant role to October 15, 2026, and confirmed plans to put an interim technical team in charge for the upcoming 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying fixtures against Somalia in November.
The decision follows recommendations from the Black Stars Coach Search Committee, which emphasized the need for a comprehensive and unhurried recruitment process to identify a manager capable of establishing a clear playing identity and driving long-term success for Ghana.
In a statement released on Friday, October 9, in consultation with the Ministry of Sports and Recreation, the GFA outlined that the candidate evaluation, shortlisting, and interview phases will run throughout October and November.
The thorough selection process includes stakeholder Consultations – Engaging local football experts and technical analysts.
Rigorous Vetting – Carrying out comprehensive background checks and assessments of leadership and technical qualifications.
Strategic Alignment – Ensuring the selected candidate aligns with the high-performance standards required for continental and global competitions.
By extending the submission window to October 15, the association aims to widen the applicant pool and avoid making a rushed decision following the recent exit of the former technical bench.
To ensure seamless preparation without disrupting the national team’s immediate competitive goals, the GFA will appoint a temporary technical unit to guide the squad for the crucial AFCON double-header against Somalia.
The interim handlers will be tasked with th
Player Tracking – Monitoring home-based and foreign-based players ahead of camp.
Squad Continuity – Maintaining technical structure and tactical focus during the November international window.
Match Preparation – Hosting and executing the qualifier at the Accra Sports Stadium.
GFA officials reiterated their commitment to a transparent and merit-based hiring procedure, ensuring the next permanent head coach is fully equipped to guide the Black Stars into a new era.
