Vanderpuye backs experienced African coach over local option for Black Stars job

Former Sports Minister Edwin Nii Lante Vanderpuye has dismissed calls for the immediate appointment of a Ghanaian coach to replace Otto Addo, urging the Ghana Football Association to prioritise experience and continental pedigree in its next hire.

With the Black Stars coaching role under intense scrutiny, Vanderpuye argued that the focus must shift from nationality to competence, stressing the need for a tactician who understands the current player pool and can quickly impose a coherent system.

His comments follow reports that the Ghana Football Association has received more than 600 applications ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

“I agree with Rev. Osei Kofi to an extent but inasmuch as I say we don’t need European coaches I think we need an African coach,” he told Citi Sports.

“We won trophies in the past with Ghanaian coaches but they were good coaches. Otto Addo, Ibrahim Tanko, CK Akornor, Godwin Attram, Laryea Kingston and others are all coming up. They have not gotten to where we can entrust the Black Stars into their hands.

He further urged emerging Ghanaian coaches to build their credentials at club level before stepping into the national spotlight.

“They should go and start at the club level to build their resume and capacity” he said.

With roughly 70 days remaining until the World Cup, the GFA faces mounting pressure to make a decisive appointment as preparations gather pace for football’s biggest stage.

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