The Ghana Football Association (GFA) has extended the deadline for applications for the Black Stars head coach job to October 15, 2026.
The GFA says the move is to ensure the widest possible pool of qualified candidates are considered for the role.
The extension was announced in a statement issued on Sunday, October 11, 2026, after consultations with the Ministry of Sports and Recreation and the Black Stars Coach Search Committee.
According to the Association, the Committee recommended a structured and enhanced recruitment process after its inaugural engagements and preliminary review.
It said the appointment should not be seen as a mere recruitment exercise, but rather an opportunity to establish a stronger football identity and reinforce high-performance standards.
“The recommendation was guided by the principle that the appointment of a Head Coach should not be viewed solely as a recruitment exercise, but as an opportunity to establish a stronger football identity,” the Association said.
It said the Committee will continue evaluating, interviewing and shortlisting candidates through October and November 2026, to allow for a transparent and merit-based process.
The Association said the Committee will undertake thorough due diligence and background assessments and engage key football stakeholders and technical experts in the selection process.
Also, candidates, the statement noted, will be assessed against agreed technical, leadership, cultural and high-performance criteria.
“The objective was to identify, not simply the most qualified coach on paper, but the individual best suited to lead the future direction of Ghana football,” it said.
To ensure continuity, the GFA says an Interim Technical Team will be appointed for the November international window.
The team will be responsible for preparing and managing the Black Stars for the November matches and maintaining continuity within the national team programme.
It will also support player monitoring and engagement activities and facilitate a smooth transition to the permanent head coach.
The Association said the arrangement would allow the Committee to conduct a rigorous recruitment process without compromising the team’s immediate competitive responsibilities.
It reaffirmed its commitment to a transparent and professional process in the best interest of Ghana football.
The coaching position became vacant on Thursday, October 1, 2026, after Portuguese trainer Carlos Queiroz resigned following the September international window.
The five-member Search Committee is chaired by former GFA Vice-President Fred Pappoe.
Other members are Anthony Baffoe, General Secretary of the Professional Footballers Association of Ghana; Agbesi Dzakpasu, a legal practitioner and football administrator; Stephen Appiah, former Black Stars captain; and Faisal Chibsah, a high-performance specialist.
The Committee is expected to submit its final recommendation thereafter.
Interested applicants are to forward their applications and CVs to [email protected].
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