The appointment of an interim technical team for the Black Stars has sparked debate, particularly over the decision to hand the team to Black Queens head coach Kim Lars Björkegren.
Even if the Ghana Football Association (GFA) had appointed a high profile coach such as Pep Guardiola or Antonio Conte, questions would still have been raised about the cost and whether the investment was justified.
Björkegren will lead the team alongside assistants Ibrahim Tanko and Godwin Attram, with former Black Stars goalkeeper Fatawu Dauda responsible for the goalkeepers.
The GFA’s search committee recommended an interim arrangement to allow more time to assess applications for the substantive position. With Ghana’s November fixtures approaching, the immediate task is to prepare the team for its upcoming matches against Somalia.
But what does each member of the technical team bring, and can their combined experience help revive the Black Stars?
Kim Lars Björkegren: A fresh tactical perspective
Björkegren’s appointment has attracted the most attention because he already leads the Black Queens.
Appointed in January 2025, the Swedish coach guided Ghana to a bronze medal at the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations(WAFCON), held in Morocco in 2025. The result marked a return to the WAFCON semi finals after a 19 year absence.
His tenure has also had its setbacks, including Ghana’s 2-1 quarter-final defeat to Malawi at the 2026 WAFCON.
Tactically, Björkegren favours high pressing, possession based football and quick transitions. These principles could offer the Black Stars a more aggressive approach, particularly in midfield, where Ghana have often struggled to control games consistently.
The challenge will be adapting those ideas to the strengths of the available players rather than imposing a system that does not suit them.
His appointment also raises questions about workload. The Black Queens are preparing for the 2027 Women’s World Cup qualifying play-offs, scheduled to begin on November 28, while the Black Stars face Somalia on November 11 and 15.
Managing both assignments will require careful coordination, particularly if the two teams need his attention at the same time.
Nevertheless, the interim role offers Björkegren an opportunity to demonstrate that his tactical principles can translate across the men’s and women’s national teams.
Ibrahim Tanko: Experience and familiarity
Tanko brings experience within Ghana’s national team structure, having served as an assistant coach under Kwesi Appiah.
He was part of the technical team that qualified Ghana for the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt. He also coached the Black Meteors at the 2019 U-23 Africa Cup of Nations, where Ghana finished fourth and missed out on qualification for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics after losing to South Africa on penalties.
His playing career also included a spell at Borussia Dortmund, where he was part of the squad that won the UEFA Champions League in 1997.
That background gives Tanko an understanding of the demands of elite football, as well as the expectations surrounding the Black Stars.
His familiarity with Ghanaian players and the national team environment could prove particularly valuable to Björkegren, who must quickly understand the squad and identify the most effective combinations. He is currently the head coach of Ghana Premier League side Medeama.
Tanko could help bridge the gap between the head coach’s tactical plans and the practical demands of international football, ensuring that the team is organised and prepared for its November assignments.
Godwin Attram: Domestic knowledge and player development
Attram brings a different perspective, shaped by his experience as a former Ghana international and his work in coaching and player development.
The former forward represented Ghana at the U-17, U-20, U-23 and senior levels. He has also coached Accra Great Olympics and established Attram De Visser, a football institution focused on developing young players.
His knowledge of the domestic game could help the technical team identify emerging talent and assess players who may be ready to contribute to the senior national side.
Attram has also worked with Tanko within Ghana’s youth national team setup, providing an existing working relationship that could help the assistants coordinate their responsibilities.
For now, his immediate task is to support the interim team in preparing the Black Stars for Somalia. The experience could also strengthen his coaching credentials and expose him to the demands of senior international football.
Whether the appointment leads to greater responsibilities in the future will depend on the results and the GFA’s long term plans.
Fatawu Dauda: Continuity in goal
Dauda’s appointment as goalkeepers coach offers continuity within the Black Stars setup.
The former goalkeeper represented Ghana at the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil and featured in several Africa Cup of Nations tournaments. He later joined the senior national team’s technical staff under Otto Addo in 2024.
His experience as an international goalkeeper should help him understand the technical and psychological demands of playing for Ghana.
His responsibilities will include improving shot stopping, positioning, distribution, communication with defenders and decision making under pressure.
With a new interim head coach and assistants coming into the setup, retaining Dauda could provide some stability in the goalkeeping department.
Can the interim team change the Black Stars’ fortunes?
The November fixtures offer the new technical team an opportunity to make an immediate impact, but the challenge extends beyond securing results against Somalia.
The Black Stars need greater tactical discipline, improved midfield control and more consistency in front of goal. They must also restore confidence among supporters who expect the national team to compete at the highest level.
Björkegren brings a fresh tactical perspective, Tanko offers experience within Ghana’s national team structure, Attram contributes domestic knowledge and player development experience, while Dauda provides continuity in goal.
On paper, the combination offers complementary strengths. The real test, however, will be whether the coaches can work together effectively, make the right selections and translate their ideas into performances on the pitch.
The interim arrangement is not a guarantee of success, nor does it settle the question of who should lead Ghana permanently.
But the Somalia fixtures provide an early opportunity to build momentum, restore belief and give the GFA a clearer picture of what this technical team can deliver.
Ultimately, the Black Stars will be judged by results.
