By Enoch Ntiamoah Siaw

Ghana football is facing a difficult moment as the Black Stars fight to avoid missing another Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournament. In the same vein, the Black Queens preparing for a major test in their bid to qualify for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil.

But at a time when both teams need serious attention, the Ghana Football Association (GFA) has appointed the Black Queens Head Coach, Kim Lars Björkegren, to lead the Black Stars on an interim basis for their crucial November AFCON qualifiers against Somalia.

The Swedish coach will work with Ibrahim Tanko and Godwin Attram as assistant coaches, while former Black Stars goalkeeper Fatawu Dauda will handle the goalkeepers.

The decision has sparked debate among football followers, with some questioning why the Black Queens coach should take charge of the Black Stars when the women’s team also have an important tournament ahead.

Others believe the GFA has made the right decision by using a coach who already understands Ghanaian football and can work with experienced assistants to help the Black Stars recover.

For a country still disappointed by the Black Stars failure to qualify for the 2025 AFCON in Morocco, the pressure is growing.

Ghana’s 2027 AFCON qualifying campaign has started badly with defeats to Côte d’Ivoire and The Gambia, leaving the team without a point in Group C.

The Black Stars lost 2-0 to Côte d’Ivoire before suffering a 4-2 defeat to The Gambia at the Accra Sports Stadium. The results led to the departure of Carlos Queiroz and the search for a new technical direction.

The November matches against Somalia now offer Ghana a chance to recover. Another poor performance, however, could make the road to qualification even more difficult.

Some sports observers believe Björkegren should have been allowed to concentrate on the Black Queens, leaving Tanko and Attram to lead the Black Stars in the two matches against Somalia.

Their concern is that the women’s team could lose valuable attention at a time when it needs careful preparation for the World Cup play offs.

The Black Queens will take part in the preliminary stage of the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2027 play-off tournament in Morocco from November 28 to December 5.

Ghana will face Ecuador, Uzbekistan and Papua New Guinea as it seeks to move closer to securing a place at the World Cup in Brazil.

The team has already taken an important step by beating Côte d’Ivoire in the continental play off to secure a place in the intercontinental tournament.

However, the Queens still have a difficult task ahead and their preparation will be important if they are to achieve their World Cup dream.

Those who disagree with the criticism of Björkegren’s appointment argue that the coach can manage the temporary assignment with the support of Tanko and Attram.

They believe his experience with the national teams could help the Black Stars while the existing technical structure could help maintain preparations for the Black Queens.

The GFA has defended its decision. Its Communications Director, Henry Asante Twum, has explained that the appointment was made after considering the coaches already working within Ghana’s football system and the need to find an interim solution.

The association has also said both national teams will receive the technical and operational support needed to prepare for their respective competitions.

The big question is whether the arrangements will work in practice especially if both teams need the coach’s attention at the same time.

Beyond the coaching debate, another question continues to trouble Ghanaian football lovers; are the Black Stars struggling because of the players, the coaches or problems within the football system?

The two opening defeats exposed weaknesses in the team’s defence, organisation and ability to respond when matches become difficult.

These problems cannot automatically be blamed on one coach. The players must also accept responsibility for their performances on the pitch.

At the same time, frequent changes in technical leadership can make it difficult for a team to develop a clear playing style and build confidence.

When coaches are changed repeatedly, new technical teams often have limited time to understand the players, introduce their ideas and prepare for important matches.

Tanko’s experience in Ghana football and Attram’s involvement in the national team setup could help the Black Stars during this difficult period but their work will ultimately be judged by the team’s performances against Somalia.

The players too must turn their individual ability into strong team performances. Ghana cannot depend on reputation alone to secure qualification.

The GFA must also examine whether its approach to coaching appointments and long term planning is helping the national teams achieve their goals.

The current situation is a test of the GFA’s ability to manage two important national assignments at the same time.

The Black Stars need to recover from their poor start and keep their AFCON hopes alive. The Black Queens, meanwhile, need proper preparation to continue their journey towards the 2027 Women’s World Cup.

The women’s team should not be treated as less important simply because the Black Stars attract greater public attention.

Björkegren’s work with the Black Queens, including Ghana’s bronze medal finish at the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations has helped build expectations around the team.

Their progress into the World Cup play offs has given supporters another reason to believe they can reach the global competition.

The GFA must therefore make sure the temporary appointment does not affect the Queens’ training, tactical preparation or analysis of their opponents.

In the end, the success of the decision will depend on results. The Black Stars must earn the points needed to revive their qualification hopes, while the Black Queens must prepare well for their matches in Morocco.

Ghana’s football problems may not be caused by players or coaches alone. They may also reflect the need for more stable technical leadership, better preparation and stronger planning by football administrators.

For now, the GFA has made its choice. The coming matches will show whether the decision was the right one or whether the country has taken a risk at a time when both national teams have so much to play for.

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We believe in his miraculous birth.

We believe in his prophethood.

We believe in his miracles by Allah’s permission.

We believe in Maryam عليها السالم.

Therefore, if there is a disagreement between a Muslim and a Christian about Jesus عليه السالم, let that disagreement be handled with knowledge, respect and dialogue.

If a Muslim preacher says something offensive about Jesus عليه السالم, Christians have every right to condemn the statement and seek lawful redress.

But please do not respond by insulting Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).

One religious insult cannot justify another religious insult.

Let us stop the cycle.

OUR FINAL MESSAGE: DO NOT LET SATAN WIN

Brothers and sisters,

Perhaps the greatest victory for Satan is not that someone insults Muhammad (pbuh).

Perhaps the greater victory is that the insult causes Muslims to abandon the character of the

Prophet Muhammad s.a.w.

Someone insults the Prophet.

We become violent.

Someone provokes us.

We become unjust.

Someone makes a foolish statement.

We destroy a friendship that took thirty years to build.

Then Satan wins twice.

No!

We will not allow that.

We will defend Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) by following good mannerism of Muhammad (pbuh).

We will honour Muhammad (pbuh) by practising his Sunnah.

We will answer ignorance with knowledge.

Hatred with justice.

Provocation with restraint.

Falsehood with truth.

And hostility with dignified engagement.

Let us remember: “Indeed, Allah commands justice, excellence and generosity.” (Qur’an

16:90)

May Allah bless us all. Ameen

AUTHOR

IMAM ALHAJI SAEED ABDULAI

Kpone Katamanso Municipal Chief Imam

Certified Counsellor

Governance Expert

REFERENCES

1. The Qur’an: 2:201; 3:134; 4:135; 5:8; 6:108; 15:97; 16:90; 16:125; 33:21; 33:70; 49:6;

60:8; 68:4.

2. Al-Bukhari, Muhammad ibn Isma’il. Sahih al-Bukhari: Hadith 1311–1313, 2068,

3166, 4380–4381, 6018, 6114.

3. Muslim ibn al-Hajjaj. Sahih Muslim: Hadith 47, 1795, 2609.

4. Ibn Hisham. Al-Sirah al-Nabawiyyah — material concerning the Hijrah, Madinah and the Sahifah of Madinah.

5. Ibn Kathir. Tafsir al-Qur’an al-‘Azim — commentary on Qur’an 5:8, 6:108, 16:125 and 60:8.

6. Ibn Kathir. Al-Bidayah wa al-Nihayah — accounts relating to the Prophet’s ملسو هيلع هللا ىلص life and relations with other communities.

The author is the Chief Imam of katamanso Munipicipal and Certified Counsellor and Governance Expert.

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