What former Black Stars coach Chris Hughton says is affecting Ghana’s success

Former Ghana coach Chris Hughton has called for greater stability in the Black Stars technical team, warning that frequent changes in leadership could undermine the national team's progress.

Ghana are preparing for two crucial 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying matches against Somalia, with Black Queens coach Kim Bjorkegren taking temporary charge of the men's team.

The Black Stars head into the double-header under pressure after losing their opening two Group C matches against Ivory Coast and The Gambia last month.

Those defeats resulted in the departure of Carlos Queiroz, whose second spell as Ghana coach lasted less than a month, forcing the Ghana Football Association (GFA) to appoint Bjorkegren on an interim basis.

Hughton believes the frequent changes in the dugout are detrimental to the team, insisting that continuity is important for both players and coaches.

"When you have inconsistency in the amount of time when a manager is staying, it's never good," Hughton told BBC Sport Africa.

"You want that consistency in the players [and] the players want that consistency in what they see in the manager."

Queiroz was initially appointed in April and guided Ghana to the Round of 32 at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The Black Stars held England to a goalless draw during the group stage but saw their campaign end with a 1-0 defeat against Colombia in the knockout round.

The 73-year-old Portuguese coach subsequently left the position before returning in early September, with the GFA citing his extensive international coaching experience.

However, his second stint ended abruptly following Ghana's 2-0 defeat by Ivory Coast in Bouake and a 4-2 loss to The Gambia in Accra.

Hughton, who previously managed the Black Stars, believes the team showed encouraging signs at the World Cup, particularly in their performance against England.

"What I saw in the World Cup is that they represented the country very well, particularly the England game," he said.

"And although it was very much a defensive outfit, there were opportunities to score."

Ghana will host Somalia in the first leg of their double-header at the Essipong Sports Stadium on Thursday, November 12, with kick-off scheduled for 15:00 GMT.

The former Brighton and Newcastle United manager also cautioned that repeated managerial changes could create an unhealthy mentality among players, potentially making them accustomed to the idea that coaches will be dismissed whenever results do not meet expectations.

He believes establishing greater stability within the technical team is essential if Ghana are to build a competitive side capable of delivering consistent performances.