Ghana head coach Carlos Queiroz has challenged the Black Stars to confront the reasons behind the country’s long wait for Africa Cup of Nations success as he sets his sights on guiding the team back to the final of the competition.
Ghana’s last AFCON triumph came in 1982, and the four-time African champions have since endured more than four decades without lifting the continent’s biggest football trophy.
Despite reaching several finals and semi-finals during that period, the Black Stars have struggled to complete the final step, with their most recent final appearance coming in 2015.
Queiroz, who has returned for a second spell as Ghana coach, believes the country must take an honest and professional look at the factors behind the prolonged drought before finding the right solutions.
“Why are we not winning the Africa Cup of Nations for 44 years? That’s the question that we have to assess in an honest way, professional way, competitive way, to find the solutions to rebuild that dream and make it happen,” Queiroz said.
The experienced Portuguese coach has made it clear that his ambition is not only to qualify for major tournaments but to help Ghana compete for honours again.
Queiroz is hoping Ghana can shorten the wait for another AFCON final appearance and believes the team has the potential to challenge for the title.
“I hope that dream will be reduced by one year and we can be in the final of the Africa Cup of Nations. I hope so. That’s my dream,” he added.
The Black Stars will begin the process of rebuilding their continental campaign after failing to qualify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco — the first time Ghana missed the tournament since 2004.
Their road to AFCON 2027 begins with a difficult away fixture against Côte d’Ivoire in Bouaké on September 24, before hosting The Gambia at the Accra Sports Stadium three days later.
Queiroz will hope the qualifiers provide the foundation for Ghana to return to Africa’s biggest football tournament and revive the dream of ending a historic trophy drought.
