By Evans Worlanyo Ameamu, GNA
Keta (VR) Sept. 03, GNA – Football enthusiasts in the Keta Municipality of the Volta Region, have expressed divided opinions over the Ghana Football Association’s (GFA) decision to reappoint Portuguese tactician Carlos Queiroz as head coach of the Black Stars.
The GFA confirmed on September 2, 2026, that it had reached an agreement with the 73-year-old Portuguese tactician to continue the stewardship of the national team, following discussions involving the Association and the Ministry of Sports and Recreation.
Mr Benjamin Blewushie, a Sports enthusiast at Keta, told the Ghana News Agency that the announcement had generated intense debate on sports platforms and among supporters nationwide.
He said in a statement, the GFA had indicated that “Queiroz’s extensive international experience, technical expertise and knowledge of the Black Stars positions him strongly to lead the team into this next chapter.”
Mr Blewushie noted that Mr Queiroz’s previous mandate came to an end a few weeks after he guided Ghana through the campaign at the recently concluded 2026 FIFA World Cup in Canada, Mexico and the United States, a tournament in which the Black Stars recorded one victory before bowing out at the Round of 32 stage.
He emphasised that the coach’s return to the technical bench brought a measure of continuity to a team that had faced uncertainty over its leadership direction in the aftermath of the tournament.
While some supporters have welcomed the reappointment as a sign of stability, describing Queiroz’s global pedigree as an asset that could steer the Black Stars toward greater success, a considerable section of enthusiasts have voiced strong reservations about his tactical approach.
Mr Atsu Tey, a Sports Analyst, pointed out to an overly cautious and defence-oriented style of play that, saying, this had too often stifled the attacking flair traditionally associated with Ghanaian football, which resulted in matches low on goals despite results that kept the team competitive.
He argued that a team of Black Stars calibre, with players plying their trade in some of Europe’s top leagues, deserved a more expansive and attacking philosophy capable of inspiring both results and entertainment.
“Defensive solidity, while valuable, should not come at the expense of goal-scoring threat, particularly against opposition within the African qualifying zone,” he said.
On the other side of the debate, some supporters of the reappointment maintained that Queiroz’s pragmatic, structured approach was precisely what the Black Stars required at this stage, citing his vast World Cup experience across multiple continents, including previous campaigns with Portugal, Iran and South Africa.
Some other sports analysts also argued that the coach’s tactical discipline offered the team a foundation of organisation that had been lacking prior to his arrival.
Beyond the tactical debate, some football watchers also noted that Queiroz inherited a technical bench under difficult circumstances, which had been appointed following the departure of former coach Otto Addo earlier in the year, and was tasked with quickly organising the squad ahead of a demanding World Cup assignment which should be factor into any fair assessment of his overall record with the team.
The GFA had said, further details regarding the length and specific targets of Queiroz’s new mandate was expected to be announced in due course, though the Association had confirmed that his first assignment under the fresh tenure would be a 2027 AFCON qualifier against Cote d’Ivoire on September 23, before squaring off against The Gambia four days later.
The upcoming qualifiers are expected to offer an early opportunity for Queiroz to respond to the critics, with many observers suggesting that a more attacking, goal-oriented outing in the fixtures could help quell some of the scepticism surrounding the coach’s tactical philosophy.
As the debate continues to unfold across radio discussions, social media platforms and sports pages in the municipality, the coming international window is widely seen as a defining test of whether Queiroz can strike a balance between defensive stability and attacking ambition, which many believe would determine the tone of his second spell in charge of Ghana’s senior national team.
GNA
Edited by Maxwell Awumah/ Christabel Addo