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Carlos Queiroz has parted ways with the Ghana Football Association (GFA) as head coach of the Black Stars by mutual consent, just two days after Ghana suffered a 4-2 home defeat to The Gambia in the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers.
The GFA confirmed the Portuguese coach’s departure in a statement issued on Thursday, October 1, 2026, following discussions between the two parties.
According to the GFA, the decision was reached “in a spirit of mutual respect” and was considered the most appropriate course of action under the circumstances.
The Association thanked Queiroz and his technical staff for their commitment and contribution to the Black Stars project and said it would announce further technical arrangements and the next steps regarding the leadership of the national team in due course.
Two defeats leave Ghana bottom of Group C
Queiroz’s departure comes after Ghana opened their 2027 AFCON qualifying campaign with two consecutive defeats.
The Black Stars first lost 2-0 to Côte d’Ivoire before suffering a dramatic 4-2 defeat against The Gambia at the Accra Sports Stadium on Tuesday.
Ghana had taken a 2-0 lead through Ernest Nuamah and Felix Afena-Gyan but surrendered their advantage as The Gambia scored four unanswered goals to complete a remarkable comeback.
The result left Ghana without a point from their opening two Group C matches.
The Black Stars have therefore made a difficult start to their attempt to qualify for the next AFCON tournament after missing the previous edition in Morocco.
Queiroz: “Ghana comes first”
In his farewell message, Queiroz said the decision to end his relationship with the GFA was not easy but had been taken with the interests of Ghanaian football in mind.
He thanked the GFA, its leadership, his technical staff and the players for their support during his time with the national team.
Queiroz also acknowledged that the team’s recent results contributed to the decision.
“I came to Ghana determined to help build a stronger future for the Black Stars and support the development of the country’s talent,” he said.
“Despite our commitment and efforts, the necessary conditions were not fully established, and our recent performance added to the decision to bring this journey to an end.”
The Portuguese coach also urged Ghanaians to continue supporting the players.
“Believe in these players. Protect them. Support them,” he said, adding that the squad had the talent and potential to achieve significant things with the right environment and support.
He concluded his message with: “Ghana comes first. The Black Stars come first. Ghanaian football comes first.”
A short second spell
Queiroz’s departure marks the end of his second spell in charge of the Black Stars within a few months.
He was initially appointed in April 2026 on a short-term arrangement to lead Ghana at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Under his leadership, Ghana reached the last 32 of the tournament before losing 1-0 to Colombia. He subsequently stepped down after the World Cup before returning to the Black Stars setup in September.
His second spell lasted only two AFCON qualifying matches, with defeats against Côte d’Ivoire and The Gambia. Reuters reported that across his overall seven matches in charge, Ghana recorded one victory, two draws and four defeats.
GFA begins search for new coach
The GFA is now faced with the task of determining the next leadership structure for the Black Stars ahead of the next AFCON qualifying window.
The Association has not yet announced whether an interim coach will take charge or who could be considered for the permanent position.
The GFA said detailed technical arrangements and the next steps concerning the Black Stars’ leadership would be announced in due course.
The coaching change has also affected Ghana’s international plans.
Ghana-Morocco friendly cancelled
Ghana’s proposed international friendly against Morocco has been cancelled following consultations between the two football associations.
The match had been planned for the upcoming international window, but the GFA confirmed that the fixture would no longer take place as the association deals with the coaching transition.
What next for the Black Stars?
Ghana now faces the challenge of rebuilding its campaign in Group C.
The Black Stars will need to regroup before their next AFCON qualifiers, with the team scheduled to face Somalia in the next qualifying window.
With the coaching position now vacant, attention will turn to the GFA’s decision on Queiroz’s successor and the technical direction of the national team.
For a country with a long history at the Africa Cup of Nations, the immediate focus will be on stabilising the team and improving its position in Group C.
African360 News will continue to follow developments surrounding the Black Stars, including the GFA’s announcement on the next head coach.
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