Oti Akenteng accuses GFA of disrespecting local coaches

Former Ghana Football Association (GFA) technical director Francis Oti Akenteng has accused the association of disrespecting local coaches by repeatedly overlooking them for key national team positions.

His comments follow the appointment of Black Queens head coach Kim Lars Björkegren as interim technical team lead for Ghana’s upcoming 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers against Somalia.

The Swedish coach will work alongside Medeama head coach Ibrahim Tanko and Godwin Attram, while Fatawu Dauda retains his position as goalkeeper coach.

Reacting to the appointment, Oti Akenteng questioned why the GFA had not entrusted a Ghanaian coach with the interim role, insisting that the country has several qualified candidates capable of leading the senior national team.

“There are local coaches who are capable of coaching the Black Stars,” he told Asempa FM’s Ultimate Sports Show.

“If they are always overlooked, that is a sign of disrespect, and if the local coaches are not respected, they will not have an interest in coaching,” he added.

The Black Stars are searching for a substantive head coach following the departure of Carlos Queiroz after a disappointing start to their 2027 AFCON qualifying campaign.

The GFA and the Ministry of Sports and Recreation have since established a five-member search committee tasked with recommending a successor to the Portuguese tactician.

While the search for a permanent appointment continues, Björkegren and his assistants have been charged with preparing Ghana for a two-legged encounter against Somalia next month.

Ghana have lost their opening two matches in Group C and remain without a point, leaving them under pressure to revive their qualification hopes.

The Black Stars will need positive results in both matches to improve their position in the group as they seek to return to the continental showpiece after missing the previous edition in Morocco.