Desmond Ofei emerges as internal candidate if Queiroz departs as head coach of the Black Stars

Desmond Ofei is emerging as a prominent internal contender to take over as head coach of the Ghana national football team, known as the Black Stars, should Carlos Queiroz choose to depart following his temporary contract's expiration in August. The Ghana Football Association (GFA) is reportedly reluctant to prolong Queiroz's contract despite his success, including leading Ghana to the Round of 32 at the 2026 World Cup.

Ofei, who currently serves as Queiroz's assistant, is a familiar figure to the squad, having previously worked under Otto Addo in the same role. He has also coached various youth teams, including the Black Satellites (U-20) and Black Meteors (U-23), and even briefly led the senior team for a friendly match against Mexico when Queiroz was unavailable.

However, opinions within the GFA are split: some members support Ofei's appointment, while others are concerned about potential backlash from the public over promoting an assistant coach. Despite these divisions, the association is still in discussions with other prospective coaches, according to council member Nana Oduro Sarfo.

With the 2027 African Cup of Nations qualifiers slated for September, the GFA is under significant pressure to swiftly finalize the coaching arrangements. As Queiroz's contract ends in August, there is a limited timeframe to either retain him or move forward with Ofei or an external candidate.