The Ghana Football Association (GFA) and Carlos Queiroz have mutually agreed to terminate his contract as head coach of the Black Stars. The decision was announced on Thurs. October 1, 2026, bringing an end to the Portuguese coach’s latest spell in charge of Ghana after just seven matches. According to the GFA, the decision followed discussions between both parties held in a spirit of mutual respect, with the two sides agreeing that ending the relationship was the appropriate course of action under the circumstances.

The Association said the decision was taken with the interests of Ghana, the Black Stars and Ghanaian football in mind. Queiroz’s departure comes just two days after the Black Stars suffered a painful 4-2 defeat to The Gambia in their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier at the Accra Sports Stadium. Ghana's latest result added to an already difficult start to the 2027 AFCON qualifying campaign.

The Black Stars opened their campaign with a 2-0 defeat to Côte d’Ivoire in Bouaké before returning home to face The Gambia. The Black Stars looked to be on course for a much-needed victory after taking a 2-0 lead, but the visitors produced a remarkable comeback to win 4-2. The defeat left Ghana without a point from their opening two qualifying matches and increased the pressure surrounding the team and its technical leadership.

Interestingly, Queiroz had only recently returned to the Black Stars after the GFA reappointed him in September for the next phase of the national team's programme. His initial mandate had ended after the 2026 FIFA World Cup, but the two parties subsequently agreed to continue working together. That second chapter, however, has now come to an early end.

The Portuguese coach thanked the GFA, particularly its president, Kurt Okraku, for the opportunity to lead the national team. Despite leaving the job, Queiroz's message to Ghanaians was largely centred on the Black Stars players. The former Real Madrid and Portugal coach urged supporters not to turn their backs on the squad following the team's recent setbacks. “Believe in these players. Protect them. Support them,” he said. Queiroz insisted that the current generation has the talent and potential to achieve great things for Ghana if they receive the necessary unity, support and environment.

What next for the Black Stars? The immediate question now is who takes charge of the Black Stars. With Ghana's AFCON qualifying campaign already hitting the rocks, the GFA will have to make decisions quickly as the team prepares for its next international assignments. The Association has said it will announce the next steps regarding the technical leadership of the national team in due course. The coaching change also comes at a delicate moment for Ghanaian football. The Black Stars are still looking to recover from a difficult opening to the AFCON qualifiers, and the GFA will now have to find a way to provide stability around the team.

For Queiroz, his time with the Black Stars ends sooner than expected. For Ghana, another coaching chapter has closed, and attention now turns to the GFA's next move. The Black Stars have little time to dwell on the latest development. With their AFCON qualification campaign already under pressure, the focus will now shift to finding a new direction and preparing the team for the challenges ahead. 

Ghana football has hit rock bottom. If structures; grassroot development, sustainable pitches and plans are not put in place to reinvent Ghana football, Ghana will become a laughing stock for years to come. ​But Ghana must look beyond the Black Stars. The problems of Ghanaian football are bigger than one coach or one generation of players. Queiroz himself has pointed to the need for investment in player development, youth education, facilities, infrastructure, logistics and medical capabilities. That is an important point. If Ghana wants a strong Black Stars team ten years from now, the work cannot begin when the senior team is preparing for an AFCON qualifier.  

​It has to begin much earlier. The youth teams need proper development. Coaches need the right environment to work. Young players need competitive football. Clubs need better structures: football, training pitches and development of juvenile football and the local leagues.

So, is there hope for Ghana football. I wonder.