Former Ghana Football Association (GFA) technical director Francis Oti Akenteng has criticised the association for failing to give local coaches opportunities to lead the senior national team, the Black Stars.
His comments follow the appointment of Black Queens head coach Kim Lars Björkegren as interim technical team lead for Ghana’s upcoming 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying matches against Somalia.
The Swedish coach will work with Medeama head coach Ibrahim Tanko and Godwin Attram, while Fatawu Dauda retains his position as goalkeeper coach.
Reacting to the decision, Oti Akenteng questioned why the GFA had overlooked experienced Ghanaian coaches who, in his view, possess the necessary qualifications to lead the Black Stars.
“There are local coaches who are capable of coaching the Black Stars,” he told Asempa FM.
“If they are always overlooked, that is a sign of disrespect, and if the local coaches are not respected, they will not have an interest in coaching,” he added.
Oti Akenteng’s comments have brought renewed attention to the opportunities available to Ghanaian coaches in the management of the country’s senior national team, particularly when the position of head coach becomes vacant.
The Black Stars are searching for a substantive head coach following the departure of Carlos Queiroz after Ghana’s disappointing start to the 2027 AFCON qualifying campaign.
The GFA, in collaboration with the Ministry of Sports and Recreation, has established a five-member search committee to recommend a suitable candidate to take charge of the team.
While the search for a permanent coach continues, Björkegren and his assistants have been tasked with preparing the Black Stars for their two-legged qualifying encounter against Somalia next month.
Ghana face significant pressure to turn their campaign around after losing their opening two matches, leaving them without a point in Group C.
The team will be aiming to secure victories in both matches against Somalia to revive their hopes of qualifying for the tournament.
The Black Stars are also seeking to return to the continental showpiece after missing the previous edition, held in Morocco.
Oti Akenteng’s criticism adds to the ongoing debate about the recognition, development and involvement of local coaches in Ghanaian football, as the GFA works to identify a permanent successor to Queiroz.
