Confirmed: Björkegren, Tanko and Attram to lead interim Black Stars technical team for Somalia games

The Ghana Football Association and the Ministry of Sports and Recreation have appointed Kim Lars Björkegren as the leader of an interim technical team for the Black Stars, ahead of their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers against Somalia. Björkegren will be assisted by former Ghanaian players Ibrahim Tanko and Godwin Attram, who will serve as assistant coaches.

Fatawu Dauda, a former Ghana goalkeeper, has been named the goalkeepers’ coach. This decision came after a recommendation from the five-member Black Stars coach search committee, led by Fred Pappoe, as Ghana attempts to improve their qualifying campaign following a poor start. The Ghana Football Association and Sports Ministry announced the decision in a joint statement, stating that the interim arrangement will only be applicable to the November fixtures against Somalia.

The statement explained that the committee assessed various qualified coaching candidates and believed that a complementary technical team, with international experience, local knowledge, and an understanding of Ghanaian football, would provide continuity, leadership, and strategic direction. The GFA and Sports Ministry also mentioned that additional technical and support staff will be hired to assist the interim team during the November international window, as the search committee continues its search for a permanent head coach.

The Black Stars are currently without a permanent head coach following Carlos Queiroz's departure, with the team losing both their opening Group C matches, 2-0 to Ivory Coast and 4-2 to The Gambia. These results have placed Ghana at the bottom of Group C without any points, heightening the pressure on the team to secure wins in their remaining qualifiers.

The November double-header against Somalia offers an opportunity for the Black Stars to revive their chances of reaching the 2027 tournament, which they have not qualified for since the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.