Former Black Stars Management Committee member Ernest Thompson has expressed strong opposition to the possible reappointment of Kwesi Appiah as head coach of Ghana’s senior national team.
The Ghana Football Association (GFA) is searching for a new coach following the dismissal of Otto Addo after back-to-back friendly defeats against Austria and Germany in March.
Appiah, who previously had two spells in charge of the Black Stars, has emerged as a leading contender to take over ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
However, Thompson believes Appiah, who is currently serving as Sudan’s head coach, may not be the right fit for the demanding task, questioning his ability to assert authority within the squad.
“I don’t think Kwesi Appiah has the firmness needed to control this team,” he told Joy Sports.
He emphasized the heightened expectations surrounding the World Cup, noting that the stakes differ significantly from other competitions.
“At this stage, we are dealing with high stakes — the World Cup is not a playground like the Africa Cup of Nations. Look at countries like England and Brazil; they’ve made bold decisions when necessary. See who they appointed. We need a coach with strong authority, character, and a solid technical team behind him,” he added.
The GFA is expected to announce a new head coach later this month as preparations intensify for upcoming international fixtures. The Black Stars will regroup in May for a friendly against Mexico, followed by another match against Wales on June 2.
Ghana will head into the 2026 FIFA World Cup—its fifth appearance at the tournament—drawn in Group L alongside Panama, England, and Croatia.
