Ex-GFA chief George Afriyie welcomes Carlos Queiroz return as Black Stars coach despite earlier doubts

Former Ghana Football Association vice-president George Afriyie has publicly backed the potential reappointment of experienced tactician Carlos Queiroz as head coach of the senior national team, setting aside his previous reservations regarding the Portuguese manager's tactical style. Queiroz, who previously managed the Egyptian national team and guided them to the final of the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations before losing to Senegal on penalties, boasts an impressive managerial resume that includes leading both South Africa and Iran to FIFA World Cup qualification tournaments. Speaking on the current direction of the four-time African champions, Afriyie emphasized that securing a coach of Queiroz's caliber would instantly inject much-needed tactical discipline and defensive solidity into a squad currently navigating a challenging period in international football.

The Black Stars have experienced significant turbulence on the touchline since the conclusion of the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, where the West African powerhouse suffered a group stage exit following a dramatic defeat to Uruguay. During his illustrious career spanning multiple decades, the 71-year-old Portuguese manager notably served as Sir Alex Ferguson’s assistant manager at Manchester United across two separate stints while also managing Real Madrid during the 2003-2004 La Liga season. His deep familiarity with the African football landscape, combined with his proven ability to construct resilient defensive structures under intense pressure, makes him an appealing candidate for the Ghana Football Association as they attempt to revive their faltering qualification campaign for the upcoming continental showpiece.

Looking ahead, the Ghana Football Association faces crucial decisions in the coming weeks as executive committee members review managerial candidates to permanently replace Otto Addo following mixed results in recent qualifying fixtures. The Black Stars currently find themselves locked in a fierce battle within their qualifying group, where dropping further points could jeopardize their proud streak of consistent tournament appearances. If the federation ultimately decides to appoint the former Iran and Colombia boss, his immediate mandate will involve restoring dressing-room harmony and extracting optimal performances from high-profile attacking assets like Mohammed Kudus and Jordan Ayew ahead of the resumption of competitive fixtures.