GFA accepts responsibility for Black Stars' horrendous AFCON qualifying start

[caption id="attachment_1349544" align="alignnone" width="986"] Carlos Queiroz and GFA President Kurt Okraku[/caption]The Ghana Football Association (GFA) has accepted full responsibility for the Black Stars' poor start to the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying campaign.Ghana are bottom of Group C after losing their opening two matches and remain without a point.The Black Stars began their campaign with a 2-0 defeat by Ivory Coast before suffering another setback against The Gambia.Ghana led 2-0 against The Gambia at the Accra Sports Stadium but collapsed in the second half to lose 4-2, leaving their hopes of qualifying for the tournament under significant pressure.Following the disappointing start, the GFA and head coach Carlos Queiroz mutually parted ways, with the decision confirmed on Thursday, 1 October.GFA Communications Director Henry Asante Twum said the association accepted the criticism directed at it following the team's poor performances."It is normal for the Ghana Football Association to be blamed for the Black Stars' poor start to the AFCON qualifiers," Mr Twum told Kessben FM."No one can blame GPRTU for the team's poor start. The GFA fully accepts the anger of Ghanaians, and I also admit that we are not in normal times."But the leadership takes full responsibility for the current state of affairs. We cannot do everything alone because we will need the support of all stakeholders," he added.A five-member committee has been established to lead the search for a new head coach. The committee is expected to submit its report to the Sports Ministry on Friday, 9 October.Ghana must now recover from their difficult start when they return to qualifying action in October.The Black Stars will face Somalia in a double-header, with both matches scheduled to take place at the Accra Sports Stadium.The 2027 AFCON will be jointly hosted by Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania.Ghana are seeking to return to the continental tournament after failing to qualify for the 2025 AFCON in Morocco.