Ibrahim Tanko Open To Black Stars Job

Ibrahim Tanko, head coach of Medeama SC, has indicated his openness to taking on the leadership of the Ghana national football team, the Black Stars, should an opportunity arise and he receives the necessary support from the Ghana Football Association (GFA) and other relevant parties. Currently, Ghana lacks a full-time head coach following Carlos Queiroz's departure due to disputes between the GFA, the Ministry of Sports and Recreation and the Portuguese manager over his demands.

The Ghanaian national team is scheduled to reconvene in September to begin preparations for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers. Tanko has become one of the leading candidates for the vacant coaching position, having gained significant experience during his time with Medeama. Assistant coach Desmond Ofei is also rumored to be a potential contender for the job.

During an interview on Asempa FM's Ultimate Sports Show, Tanko stated that he would be more than willing to accept the responsibility if the authorities deem him to be the most suitable candidate. Tanko, a former assistant coach for the Black Stars, brings extensive national-team experience, having previously worked under Kwesi Appiah and served as head coach of Ghana's U-23 side, the Black Meteors.

However, his tenure with the Black Meteors did not result in qualification for the Olympic Games. As the country's football federation grapples with instability in the technical department, Tanko would be the seventh head coach during Kurt Okraku's presidency. Ghana's failure to qualify for the 2025 AFCON tournament in Morocco has heightened the urgency to secure a coach for the 2027 AFCON qualifiers, which will be jointly hosted by Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda.

With the AFCON qualifiers approaching, Tanko's comments are expected to fuel discussions surrounding the most appropriate individual to lead the Black Stars.