Black Stars head coach Carlos Queiroz has defended his international record, insisting that Ghana’s 4-2 defeat by The Gambia does not make him a loser.
Ghana surrendered a two-goal lead to suffer a dramatic defeat against the Scorpions in their second Group C match of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers at the Accra Sports Stadium on Tuesday.
The Black Stars appeared to be in control after racing into a 2-0 lead, but The Gambia produced a remarkable second-half comeback, scoring four times to leave Ghana without a point from their opening two matches.
The result has intensified pressure on Queiroz, with Ghana’s hopes of qualifying for the 2027 AFCON already under serious scrutiny following consecutive defeats.
However, the Portuguese coach remained defiant when questioned about his credentials and the impact of the latest result.
“I’m still the coach with the record for most wins in international football. This result doesn’t make me a loser,” Queiroz said after the match.
The 73-year-old had earlier opened the door to a possible resignation, saying he would be prepared to step down if the Ghana Football Association believed his departure would help resolve the problems facing the national team.
“If my resignation will be the solution for Ghana football, I’d be the first one to resign. But this is a decision I’ll leave for the federation,” he said.
Queiroz returned to the Black Stars after Ghana’s participation at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with the immediate task of guiding the four-time African champions back to the AFCON after they missed the previous edition in Morocco.
But Ghana’s qualifying campaign has started disastrously.
They opened their Group C campaign with a 2-0 defeat by Côte d’Ivoire in Bouaké before Tuesday’s collapse against The Gambia in Accra.
The Black Stars are now without a point after two matches and face a difficult task to revive their qualification hopes.
Ghana will return to action in October when they face Somalia in a double-header at the Accra Sports Stadium.
The Black Stars are seeking a return to the AFCON after missing the 2025 tournament in Morocco, ending a run of more than two decades of consecutive appearances at the competition.
