GhanaWeb Feature by Benjamin Sackey

The recent success story of Black Stars in the FIFA World Cup qualifiers cannot be told without mentioning Ghanaian coaches who have managed the team.

Some local coaches, such as James Kwasi Appiah and Otto Addo, have led the team to qualify for the FIFA World Cup.

Many of these coaches are still active in team management. Kwasi Appiah, for instance, is currently in charge of Sudan's national team and has qualified them for the 2025 AFCON but might missed out on the World Cup after back-to-back defeats in the qualifiers.

While some coaches recorded higher win rates across many matches, others had lower success rates with the Black Stars.

This GhanaWeb feature highlights the track record of local coaches who have led the Black Stars over the past two decades.

How Black Stars players performed after FIFA World Cup qualifiers

James Kwasi Appiah

First Stint (2012 – 2014)

Kwasi Appiah’s major achievement was qualifying Ghana to the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil, the first time a Black/indigenous coach led the team to the Mundial.

He also secured a fourth-place finish at the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations.



Second Stint (2017 – 2019)

His second tenure included qualification for the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations, although the team was eliminated in the Round of 16 by Tunisia on penalties.

As a result, the Ghana Football Association (GFA) did not renew his contract, and he left the role in December 2019.



Charles Kwablan (CK) Akonnor

(2020 – 2021)

Akonnor was appointed in January 2020 but was sacked in September 2021 due to inconsistent performances.



Otto Addo

In his first stint as the Black Stars’ interim coach, Otto Addo’s biggest win was a 3–0 victory against Madagascar, while his biggest defeat was a 4–1 loss to Japan.

He also led the team to qualify for the 2022 FIFA World Cup, edging out Nigeria on the away goal rule.



Second Stint (March 2024 – Present)

Otto Addo failed to qualify the team for the 2025 AFCON following a disappointing performance in the qualifiers.

However, the team has since bounced back and is now on the verge of qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.



Chris Hughton

(2023 – 2024)

Hughton’s tenure ended following Ghana’s disappointing group-stage exit at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast.

This major setback, coupled with underwhelming performances in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, led to his dismissal.

He served as the head coach of the Black Stars from February 2023 to January 2024.



Meanwhile, watch as Ghanaians debate the performance of Black Stars coach Otto Addo