Former Ghana Football Association (GFA) Technical Director Francis Oti Akenteng says local coaches are capable of managing the Black Stars and should be given greater consideration for the national team job.

His comments follow the appointment of Swedish coach Kim Lars Björkegren to lead Ghana’s interim technical team as the search for a substantive head coach continues.

Björkegren will work alongside Ibrahim Tanko and Godwin Attram, with former Black Stars goalkeeper Fatawu Dauda appointed as goalkeepers’ coach for the upcoming 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers against Somalia.

The decision by the GFA and the Ministry of Sports and Recreation to appoint an interim team led by a foreign coach has attracted criticism, with questions raised about the lack of trust in Ghanaian coaches.

Speaking on Asempa FM, Oti Akenteng said overlooking local coaches could undermine their confidence and discourage them from pursuing the Black Stars job.

“There are local coaches who are capable of coaching the Black Stars,” he said.

“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.

Ghana are searching for a new substantive coach following Carlos Queiroz’s departure after a disappointing start to the 2027 AFCON qualifying campaign.

The Black Stars lost their opening two Group C matches against Ivory Coast and The Gambia, leaving them bottom of the group without a point and under pressure to revive their qualification hopes.

The GFA and the Sports Ministry are expected to announce a substantive head coach in November as Ghana seeks to rebuild the team and improve their performances.

Credit: ghanasoccernet.com