Black Stars head coach Carlos Queiroz says he wants to help Ghana move past the disappointment of failing to qualify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
Queiroz made the comments at a press conference ahead of Ghana’s 2027 AFCON Group C qualifier against Côte d’Ivoire in Bouaké on Thursday, September 24.
The match comes at a difficult time for Ghana, with several key players, including Jordan Ayew, Antoine Semenyo and Thomas Partey, ruled out through injury.
Queiroz will take charge of his first competitive match as Black Stars coach as Ghana begin their campaign against the Elephants at the Stade de la Paix at 7:00 pm GMT.
A handful of young players, including Rahim Ibrahim and Augustine Boakye, are expected to step in their stead, and Carlos Queiroz believes the young players have the quality to do so. (Click highlighted text to read full story)
“That’s our job to get rid of that trauma [of not qualifying to the 2025 AFCON]. As far as I know, this is the third time in a row that Italy didnt qualify to the World Cup and they did not stop football.”
“This game [of football] can go a little bit nuts because the fact that you are a good team, great nation of football and one time you don’t qualify (to the AFCON), that doesn’t mean that Ghana has lost its history, its reputation, its prestige? It’s part of the journey.”
“Let’s together, do that job, get rid of that (2025 AFCON) trauma. We have to correct it” Queiroz added.
