Ricardo Gareca, one of Argentina’s flagship coaches, has applied for the vacant Black Stars coaching job, Africanfootball.com has exclusively reported.

Africanfooball.com can exclusively report that his compatriots Roberto Trotta and Omar De Fellippe also submitted applications.

Gareca, 56, is conclusively a top contender to replace the sacked Kwesi Appiah because of his high-profile status.

Until recently, he was the coach of Brazilian side Palmeiras and also had stints other top clubs across South America.

The former Argentina international forward won four Argentina league titles with Independiente and Velez Sarsfield.

Additionally, he won Peruvian and Colombian league titles and the coveted now defunct Copa CONMEBOL.

Trotta is a former Argentina defender and now manager of Club Athletico Sarmiento, a team in Argentina’s second-tier league the Primera B Nacional.

The 45-year-old had coaching stints with giants Independiente and was assistant to Diego Maradona at UAE side Al Wasl.

De Fellippe, 52, is currently on the coaching staff of Independiente and renowned for qualifying teams for premier divisions.

He gained promotion for Olimpo de Bahia Blanca (2009/10), Quilmes Atletic Club (2011/12) and Independiente (2013/14).

The Ghana Football Association set September 19,2014 as deadline for application and the new coach is expected to be named before the next round of the 2015 AFCON qualifiers.

So far 9 coaches have applied for the job which is one of the most coveted in African football.