Black Stars Coach Saga: Meet two AFCON-winning personalities linked to position

Ivorian coach Emerse Faé and Senegalese manager Pape Thiaw have emerged as potential candidates to take over the vacant Black Stars coaching job. Following the resignation of head coach Carlos Queiroz after the Black Stars’ back-to-back defeats to Côte d'Ivoire and The Gambia in the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers, the search for a new manager is underway. The Ministry of Sports and Recreation, in collaboration with the Ghana Football Association (GFA), has formed a five-member committee to recommend a coach by October 9, 2026. Carlos Queiroz leaves Black Stars This article examines the managerial careers of the two coaches who have guided their respective national teams to AFCON titles, a feat Ghana is struggling to achieve as it seeks to secure qualification for the tournament. Emerse Faé (Côte d’Ivoire) During the 2012–13 season, Faé joined the training centre of his former club, Nice, to obtain his football coaching diplomas. After three seasons, he coached the club’s under-17 team before taking charge of the under-19 side in the 2018–19 season. On July 8, 2021, he became head coach of Clermont’s reserve team. On May 20, 2022, he became manager of the Ivory Coast U-23 team and assistant coach of the senior side under Jean-Louis Gasset. On January 24, 2024, Faé was appointed caretaker coach of Côte d'Ivoire, taking charge from the round of 16 of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations following Gasset’s dismissal. He then led his country to defeat defending champions Senegal on penalties, Mali after extra time, and DR Congo in the semi-finals. Eventually, Côte d'Ivoire clinched the title with a 2–1 victory over Nigeria in the final. Faé was also named Best Coach of the 2023 AFCON tournament. In October 2025, on the final matchday of the African qualifiers, he led his nation to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, marking its return to the global showpiece after a 12-year absence. He also guided his team to the quarter-finals of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations. Under his leadership, Côte d'Ivoire reached the knockout stage of the 2026 World Cup for the first time in its history before being eliminated by Norway following a 2–1 defeat in the round of 32. Faé left his role as national team manager after his contract expired on July 31, 2026. Pape Thiaw (Senegal) Thiaw was the manager of the Senegal A' national team that won the 2022 African Nations Championship (CHAN), a competition featuring players who compete in their respective domestic leagues. He was appointed coach of the Senegal national team on December 13, 2024, following the dismissal of his predecessor two months earlier. In October 2025, he led Senegal to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. In January 2026, Thiaw coached Senegal at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations. During the AFCON final, he urged his players to leave the field in protest after the referee awarded Morocco a penalty in stoppage time. The incident prompted disciplinary proceedings against him after the match. This led to him being banned for five matches and fined $100,000 by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) for “unsporting conduct” and “bringing the game into disrepute”. The title is in contention as the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) is yet to rule on the case after CAF awarded the title to Morocco. He led Senegal to the knockout stage of the 2026 FIFA World Cup before the team was eliminated by Belgium following a 3–2 defeat after extra time in the round of 32. He was subsequently dismissed, along with his coaching staff, following the tournament. He was replaced by Patrick Vieira in August 2026. SB/EB “The Problem Is Kurt Okraku, Not the Coach” – Ghanaians React to Carlos Queiroz's Sacking Source: www.ghanaweb.com
« Previous | Next »