Ibrahim Tanko
Medeama SC head coach Ibrahim Tanko has expressed his willingness to take charge of the Black Stars if he is given the opportunity and receives the necessary backing from the Ghana Football Association (GFA) and other authorities.
Ghana are currently without a substantive head coach following the reported departure of Carlos Queiroz after disagreements between the GFA, the Ministry of Sports and Recreation and the Portuguese coach over his demands.
The Black Stars are expected to regroup in September as preparations begin for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers.
Tanko has emerged as one of the potential candidates for the vacant position, having impressed during his time at Medeama. Assistant coach Desmond Ofei has also been linked with the role.
Speaking on Asempa FM’s Ultimate Sports Show, Tanko said he would readily accept the position if the authorities consider him the right candidate.
“If the Black Stars coaching opportunity comes and the authorities believe I’m the right man for the job, why not?” Tanko said.
The former Black Stars assistant coach brings considerable national-team experience, having previously worked under Kwesi Appiah and later served as head coach of the Black Meteors, Ghana’s U-23 side.
However, his stint with the Black Meteors ended without the team securing qualification for the Olympic Games.
If appointed, Tanko would become the seventh head coach during Kurt Okraku’s tenure as GFA president, further highlighting the Black Stars’ continued search for stability in the technical department.
Ghana failed to qualify for the 2025 AFCON in Morocco and will be eager to secure a place at the 2027 tournament, which will be jointly hosted by Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda.
With the AFCON qualifiers approaching, Tanko’s comments are likely to intensify the debate over who should take charge of the Black Stars.
BY Wletsu Ransford