GFA Backs Carlos Queiroz's 'Results-First' Approach Ahead of 2027 AFCON Qualifiers

The Ghana Football Association (GFA) has declared that the Black Stars "cannot afford to miss another AFCON tournament" as head coach Carlos Queiroz prepares to unveil his squad for the upcoming 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers. Following a disappointing exit from the 2025 qualification cycle—the first time Ghana failed to reach the continental showpiece since 2004—the pressure is mounting on the technical team to ensure a return to the tournament. Ghana has been placed in Group C, where they will face Côte d’Ivoire, The Gambia, and Somalia in a quest to reclaim their standing in African football.

In defense of the decision to retain the 73-year-old Queiroz, GFA Communications Director Henry Asante Twum emphasized that the association is prioritizing tangible outcomes over aesthetic appeal. Addressing criticisms regarding the team's playing style, Twum asserted that "people will remember you for your results, and not your style," arguing that winning remains the most crucial metric of success. This vote of confidence follows a contract extension for the veteran coach, who guided the Black Stars to the Round of 32 in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, where they advanced past the group stage before falling to Colombia.

The qualification campaign is set to begin with a high-stakes encounter against C4te d’Ivoire on September 24, followed shortly by a fixture against The Gambia. Opponents are already ramping up their preparations; Gambia's head coach Jonathan McKinstry has released a preliminary squad ahead of their trip to face Ghana at the Accra Sports Stadium. On the domestic front, Hearts of Oak striker John Antwi has also expressed his desire for a national team recall, citing his recent form in the Ghana Premier League as evidence of his readiness to contribute to the qualifying effort.

As Queiroz prepares to submit his final squad list, the GFA remains focused on avoiding the tactical lapses that led to their bottom-place finish in the previous qualifying group. With the first matches of the 2027 cycle just weeks away, the emphasis on a pragmatic, results-oriented approach signals a shift for a nation desperate to move past recent continental failures. The upcoming matches against regional rivals will serve as the primary test of whether Queiroz’s experience can deliver the consistency needed to secure Ghana's place in the 2027 tournament.