Ghana and Carlos Queiroz Part Ways After Dismal AFCON Qualifying Start

Carlos Queiroz has left his role as Ghana head coach by mutual consent, ending a second spell in charge that lasted less than a month after two damaging defeats at the start of 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying.

The Ghana Football Association confirmed the 73-year-old’s departure on Thursday, with the Black Stars bottom of Group C without a point from their opening two fixtures. Queiroz had returned at the beginning of September, only months after leaving following Ghana’s 2026 World Cup elimination by Colombia in the round of 32.

A short second spell ends after qualifying setbacks

1. Queiroz replaced Otto Addo shortly before the 2026 World Cup and took Ghana beyond the group stage, helped by a victory over Panama and a draw against England.
2. Ghana’s tournament ended in the round of 32 against Colombia, after which Queiroz stepped down from the position.
3. He returned to the Black Stars job at the start of September, with the association hoping his experience could bring stability to the national setup.
4. Ghana then lost 2-0 to Cote d’Ivoire in their first AFCON qualifying match.
5. The following match in Accra brought an even more severe setback: Ghana surrendered a 2-0 advantage against The Gambia and conceded four unanswered goals.
6. After those results and the reaction from supporters, the GFA and Queiroz agreed to bring his contract to an end.

Queiroz points to conditions around the squad

In his farewell remarks, the former Real Madrid manager said the decision had been difficult but that both sides believed separation was best for Ghana, the Black Stars and the wider national game. He said it had been a privilege to represent the country.

Queiroz thanked the GFA and its president for placing their trust in him, saying he had arrived determined to help create a stronger future for the team and to assist the development of Ghanaian players.

However, the former Manchester United assistant also repeated his concern that the squad had not been given all the conditions required for elite footballers to perform consistently. He said the players and staff had been committed, but that the necessary professional environment had not been fully put in place, while recent results made the break unavoidable.

Queiroz maintained that Ghana retain the talent to compete at a high level if the group are backed by unity, proper support and a more suitable structure around the team.

Black Stars face a wider decline

The coaching change comes during a difficult period for one of Africa’s most decorated national sides. Ghana, four-time AFCON winners, reached at least the semi-finals in six successive editions between 2008 and 2017.

That record has been followed by group-stage eliminations at the 2021 and 2024 AFCON tournaments, while Ghana also failed to qualify for the 2025 finals. The latest qualifying losses have left the team needing a rapid response if they are to recover their position in the 2027 campaign.