Anthony Baffoe withdraws from Black Stars coaching search committee – GFA confirms

GFA Communications Director Henry Asante Twum said committee chairman Fred Pappoe informed the association’s Executive Council (EXCO) of Baffoe’s decision at a meeting last Thursday.

Baffoe was named as one of five members of the committee, which is chaired by Pappoe and also includes former Black Stars captain Stephen Appiah, legal practitioner Agbesi Dzakpasu and high-performance specialist Faisal Chibsah.

The committee was established by the GFA and the Ministry of Sports and Recreation following the departure of Carlos Queiroz after Ghana’s disappointing start to their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying campaign.

Reports had earlier suggested that both Baffoe and Chibsah had declined to serve on the committee. However, Asante Twum confirmed Baffoe’s withdrawal without providing a specific reason for the decision.

Speaking on Max FM, he said the committee had continued its work with the remaining four members since they were sworn into office.

“The chairman of the search committee, Fred Pappoe, confirmed to the Executive Council that Anthony was not part of the committee. This is based on the last meeting they held, which was last week Thursday, which I was present for,” Asante Twum said.

“There was no reason given. All he said was that Tony had withdrawn. He mentioned that the four of them have been doing the job since they were sworn into office.”

The committee is responsible for identifying a permanent successor to Queiroz as Ghana seek to rebuild their national team following consecutive defeats by Ivory Coast and The Gambia in their opening two matches in the 2027 AFCON qualifiers.

Those results have left the Black Stars under pressure to revive their campaign and improve their chances of qualifying for the tournament.

In the interim, the GFA and the Sports Ministry have appointed a technical team led by Kim Lars Björkegren to oversee the team’s upcoming assignments.

Ibrahim Tanko and Godwin Attram will serve as assistant coaches, while former Ghana goalkeeper Fatawu Dauda has been appointed goalkeeping coach.

The interim team is expected to take charge of the Black Stars for their November AFCON qualifying double-header against Somalia as Ghana attempt to get their campaign back on track.

The search committee is expected to recommend a candidate for the permanent position, with an appointment anticipated before Ghana’s final round of qualifying matches next year.

Source:Fiilasports/ghanasoccernet