Assistant coach of the Sudan national football team, Ignatius Osei-Fosu, has called on the Ghana Football Association (GFA) to reconsider its decision to appoint Kim Lars Björkegren as an assistant coach for the Black Stars ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Osei-Fosu believes the move could negatively affect the preparations of Ghana’s women’s national team, the Black Queens, especially with the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations now rescheduled for July 2026.
The controversy arises from the GFA’s decision to allow Björkegren, who is currently the head coach of the Black Queens, to also join the Black Stars technical team as an assistant coach.
Critics fear that managing responsibilities for both teams at such an important period could create scheduling conflicts and affect the women’s team’s preparation.
Speaking in an interview with Luv FM, Osei-Fosu stressed that Ghana must prioritize the Black Queens’ campaign, particularly because the upcoming WAFCON tournament serves as a qualification pathway for the next FIFA Women’s World Cup.
According to him, the decision must be reconsidered unless the authorities are willing to risk the women’s team’s chances.
“They have to change it because during the World Cup, the Black Queens must be preparing,” he said.
Osei-Fosu added that his position comes from his long-standing support for women’s football in Ghana and his belief that the national women’s team deserves equal attention and preparation.
“Anybody who has followed me knows that I’m the number one supporter of the Black Queens. The people managing the team cannot play with that tournament.”
He emphasized that if Ghana expects the Black Stars to compete strongly at the global stage, the same seriousness must be applied to the Black Queens as they aim to secure qualification for the next FIFA Women’s World Cup.
The debate now places the Ghana Football Association in a delicate position as it seeks to balance preparations for both the men’s and women’s national teams ahead of crucial international tournaments.
