By Nana Karikari, Senior Global Affairs Correspondent
The Ghana Football Association has reached an agreement with former Orlando Pirates coach Roger De Sa to serve as the assistant coach for the Black Stars. De Sa will join head coach Carlos Queiroz as part of a high-profile technical restructuring ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The appointment marks another chapter in the long-standing professional partnership between the two seasoned tacticians.
Technical partnership solidified for global stage
Roger De Sa has officially concluded negotiations with the Ghana Football Association after agreeing on personal terms. The South African coach brings significant experience to the Black Stars bench. The former Bidvest Wits head coach previously assisted Queiroz during successful stints, notably leading Egypt to the AFCON 2021 final and managing Iran during the FIFA World Cup 2022.
“I will fly out on Thursday to Accra to start working straight away,” De Sa told KickOff.
The agreement is expected to be co-terminus with the short-term four-month contract handed to Queiroz. This timeline aligns with the immediate objective of navigating the upcoming global tournament in North America.
Rapid transition following coaching vacancy
The decision to appoint the Queiroz-De Sa duo came swiftly after the departure of the previous coaching staff. The Ghana Football Association moved with urgency to stabilize the team following recent performance fluctuations. De Sa noted the speed of the recruitment process which solidified the new leadership structure in under a week.
“I think when the previous coach left, the Ghana FA looked at Carlos Queiroz, and obviously it happened very quickly,” De Sa said. “Within four to five days, it was done.”
Strategic challenges in squad selection and preparation
The new technical team faces a condensed timeline to prepare for the world’s most prestigious football tournament. With many key players based in European leagues, the window for tactical drills and team cohesion is remarkably narrow. The 61-year-old
tactician must also navigate extensive travel demands and limited opportunities for warm-up matches. De Sa has already begun intensive scouting and video analysis to bridge the gap before his arrival in Accra.
“Those are the challenges, but it comes with a job like this,” De Sa acknowledged. “[I’ve] been watching a lot of films, videos, watching different players with different clubs. The biggest challenge is obviously to select a team without having really enough time. And obviously, the preparations are also very short. You’ve got about two weeks to prepare your team. But ja, that’s how it is, that’s the name of the game.”
Navigating expectations for the Black Stars
Ghana enters the 2026 FIFA World Cup seeking to recapture the form that led to their historic quarter-final appearance in 2010. The team is also aiming to improve upon its performance from the 2022 edition. Despite the inherent pressure of the role, De Sa remains realistic about the difficulty of competing at the highest level of international football.
“It’s not easy, it’s gonna be difficult, but they’re all difficult anyway,” the coach added.
The official introduction of the new technical staff is scheduled for Thursday, April 23, 2026, at the Alisa Hotel in Accra. The tournament itself will take place from June 11 to July 19 across the United States, Mexico, and Canada.
The success of this appointment will likely depend on how quickly the Queiroz-De Sa partnership can instill a cohesive philosophy within a squad facing significant logistical constraints. While their proven track record provides a sense of stability, the abbreviated preparation window remains a formidable hurdle in Ghana’s quest for global resurgence.
