Chris Hughton, an Irish-Ghanaian coach, has been appointed as the new head coach for the Black Stars, signing a one-year contract that will run until December 31, 2024.
Hughton’s unveiling was held on Monday at the SG Mall in Kumasi, where he was presented to the public. He takes over from Otto Addo, who resigned after Ghana’s early exit from the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. Didi Dramani and George Boateng will serve as Hughton’s assistant coaches, having worked under Addo.
Hughton’s appointment comes after a rigorous search by the Ghana Football Association for a qualified coach with the necessary experience to lead the national team to success in upcoming competitions, including the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations. The 63-year-old Englishman has had an illustrious coaching career spanning over three decades, having managed top-tier clubs in England such as Newcastle United, Birmingham City, and Nottingham Forest.
Hughton’s first assignment will be against Angola in the 2023 AFCON qualifiers, where Ghana leads the qualifying group after a draw and a win in their first two games. However, Angola is close behind, and two wins will give the Black Stars a solid chance to qualify. Hughton is expected to revive the Black Stars, who have failed to perform well at major tournaments in recent times, including the 2021 AFCON in Cameroon and the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
