Veteran sports journalist Osei Owusu Bempah has called for the inclusion of former Black Stars coach Kwesi Appiah in Ghana’s technical team ahead of the 2026 World Cup.
Bempah made the recommendation following Appiah’s recent success with Sudan, leading the Falcons to their first victory at the ongoing 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) against Equatorial Guinea.
Speaking to Asempa FM’s Ultimate Sports Show, Bempah emphasized Appiah’s experience and tactical acumen, describing him as “a valuable asset” capable of contributing to the Black Stars’ preparations.
“I believe Kwesi Appiah should be included in the Black Stars technical team ahead of the 2026 World Cup. He is a valuable asset; he has the personality and the technical ability to understand the game.
“We must understand that he will be there to help, and for me, I will not see anything wrong with that,” he added.
Ghana, drawn in Group L for the 2026 World Cup alongside Panama, England, and Croatia, will open their campaign against Panama on June 17 in Toronto, meet England on June 23 in Boston, and conclude the group stage against Croatia on June 27 in Philadelphia.
After early exits in Brazil 2014 and Qatar 2022, the Black Stars will be aiming for a deeper run in the expanded 2026 tournament.
Meanwhile, Kwesi Appiah will be hoping to guide Sudan to the AFCON Round of 16 when they face Burkina Faso on New Year’s Eve.
Kwesi Appiah, who also serves as an Executive Council member of the GFA, is famously remembered for becoming the first Ghanaian coach to qualify the Black Stars for the World Cup in 2014 in Brazil. However, after exiting at the Round of 16 in the 2019 AFCON in Egypt, Appiah was sacked as Black Stars coach when Kurt Okraku assumed office as president of the Ghana Football Association (GFA).
