AFCON 2027Q: ‘You can’t build a winning team if you change every call-up’ – Carlos Quieroz

Carlos Queiroz, the head coach of Ghana's national football team, the Black Stars, has emphasized the importance of maintaining consistency in his squad as they prepare for the second round of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers. Speaking ahead of their match against Gambia, Queiroz highlighted the need for a cohesive team that can compete effectively in the present and the future.

In the buildup to the game, Queiroz had to make several changes to his original lineup due to various factors. He expressed his concern that frequently altering the team composition, with seven to nine players being substituted, is detrimental to building a winning team. Queiroz stressed, "We have to win the game tomorrow; we have to be prepared to win, but at the same time, we have to plant the seeds of the future.

You cannot build a winning team if you change every call-up; you change seven to nine players; that is not a championship team."

The Portuguese coach acknowledged the necessity of having a core group of players who are reliable and prepared to deliver consistently. He emphasized the importance of fostering a trusting environment where players feel secure and committed to the team's goals. Queiroz stated, "We must have the core of the team prepared and ready to come with honesty...we must have a trustworthy environment between our goals, our dreams and our players so that they are the ones to perform for the team."

As Ghana gears up for their second qualifier match against Gambia at the Accra Sports Stadium, Queiroz's focus remains on securing a victory, while also investing in the development of a stronger, more cohesive Black Stars squad for the future of Ghanaian football.