Black Stars head coach Carlos Queiroz has declared his determination to restore Ghana’s ambition of winning the Africa Cup of Nations, as the four time continental champions prepare to begin another campaign in pursuit of the trophy they last lifted in 1982.
Speaking to journalists on Monday, September 21, ahead of Ghana’s opening fixtures in the 2027 AFCON qualifying campaign, the Portuguese coach said the country must confront the reasons behind its prolonged absence from the top of African football and develop practical solutions capable of turning its longstanding ambition into reality.
Queiroz said Ghana’s 44 year wait for another continental title should prompt an honest and professional assessment of the factors that have prevented the Black Stars from reclaiming their position among Africa’s leading football nations.
He explained that the objective should not simply be to discuss Ghana’s past disappointments, but to identify the shortcomings that have contributed to them and establish a sustainable foundation for future success.
The coach believes the current Black Stars squad provides encouraging material for such a rebuilding exercise, particularly because of the number of young players already occupying important positions within the team.
He highlighted the age profile of several members of the squad, pointing to young attackers and midfielders who are already gaining significant international experience despite being in their early twenties.
According to Queiroz, the emergence of these players presents Ghana with an opportunity to develop a competitive team over the coming years rather than relying exclusively on an ageing generation of established stars.
He therefore expressed hope that the rebuilding process can rapidly translate into tangible progress, including a deep run at the next Africa Cup of Nations.
Queiroz said his personal ambition is to see Ghana reach the AFCON final within a year, although he acknowledged that achieving such a target would require disciplined preparation, sustained improvement and a collective commitment from the players and technical team.
The coach’s comments come as the Black Stars enter a new phase under his leadership following his reappointment by the Ghana Football Association earlier this month. The GFA said the renewed mandate followed discussions with the association and the Ministry of Sports and Recreation after Queiroz had previously guided Ghana at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Ghana has been drawn in Group C of the 2027 AFCON qualifiers alongside Côte d’Ivoire, The Gambia and Somalia, with the top two teams in the group scheduled to advance to the continental tournament in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda.
The Black Stars will launch their qualifying campaign away from home when they travel to Bouaké to face Côte d’Ivoire on Thursday, September 24.
The team will then return to Ghana for a home encounter against The Gambia at the Accra Sports Stadium on Tuesday, September 29, before travelling to Morocco for an international friendly against the Atlas Lions on Sunday, October 4. The Ghana Football Association has confirmed the three fixtures as part of Queiroz’s latest programme with the national team.
The upcoming fixtures will also provide the coach with an opportunity to assess a squad that combines established internationals with emerging players and returning members.
Among those recalled to the team is Mohammed Kudus, who missed Ghana’s 2026 World Cup campaign because of injury and has now returned to the squad after recovering from a seven month absence. Nathaniel Adjei, Ibrahim Osman and Ibrahim Sulemana are also among the players returning to the national setup.
Two players, Jan Gyamerah and Ronald Donkor, have also received their first Black Stars call ups as Queiroz continues to introduce new options into the squad.
For Ghana, the immediate priority is qualification for the 2027 AFCON after the Black Stars missed the previous edition in Morocco. The longer term objective outlined by Queiroz, however, extends beyond simply securing a place at the tournament.
His stated ambition is to rebuild the mentality, structure and competitive standards required for Ghana to challenge for the continent’s premier national team prize once again.
The Black Stars have won the Africa Cup of Nations four times, with their most recent triumph coming in 1982. Since then, Ghana have reached the final on several occasions but have been unable to add another continental title to their record.
Queiroz now wants the current generation to begin changing that history, starting with the demanding qualifying programme that opens against Côte d’Ivoire in Bouaké.
