Black Stars: ‘We cannot win AFCON when we have not qualified’ – Carlos Queiroz

Black Stars head coach Carlos Queiroz has asked Ghanaians to temper their expectations as the team prepares for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying series. Ghana has missed out on the last AFCON, which took place in Morocco, and has not reached the final of the WAFCON since 2015. Despite recent setbacks, some Ghanaians still believe the Black Stars have the potential to win the tournament.

However, Queiroz has urged the public to be realistic in their expectations. "We must have ambition, but also humility," the Portuguese coach stated. "We know our recent history, and we cannot talk about winning AFCON when we have not yet qualified. We have to work, grow, compete and earn our destiny." After leading the Black Stars to the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Queiroz will now focus on helping the team qualify for the upcoming AFCON, which will be hosted by Tanzania, Kenya, and Uganda.

Queiroz emphasized that the primary goal is to secure AFCON qualification, with the 2030 World Cup serving as the ultimate target. The Black Stars face Côte d’Ivoire on September 24 and will host Gambia at the Accra Sports Stadium three days later. They will then play a friendly against Morocco at the Grand Stade de Tanger on October 4.