In the wake of Ghana’s elimination from the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), head coach Chris Hughton faced the axe as the Ghana Football Association (GFA) announced his immediate dismissal on Tuesday. The decision came after Ghana secured a third-place finish in Group B, sealing their fate with a 2-2 draw against Mozambique on Monday.
“The Ghana Football Association wishes to announce that Chris Hughton has been relieved of his duties as head coach of the senior national team with immediate effect. The Executive Council has also taken a decision to dissolve the technical team of the Black Stars,” read a statement from the GFA.
“The Ghana Football Association will in the coming days provide a roadmap on the future direction of the Black Stars,” the statement added.
Also, read; Kenya Discovers Significant Deposits of Conflict-Linked Minerals Used in Electronics
Hughton, who assumed the coaching role in March, had faced mounting pressure after a string of challenging results, including a loss to the Comoros Islands in a World Cup qualifier in November. The 65-year-old coach, with Ghanaian roots through his father, managed only four victories out of 13 matches during his tenure.
The AFCON campaign saw Ghana endure a turbulent journey, starting with a defeat to the Cape Verde Islands, where an irate fan attempted to attack Hughton. Subsequent draws against Egypt and Mozambique resulted in a disappointing two-point haul.
Hughton’s departure leaves uncertainty about the future coaching direction for the Black Stars. Meanwhile, he was also on the list of potential candidates for the vacant Ireland manager’s position.
Gambia boss Tom Saintfiet also resigned earlier on Tuesday following his team’s last-place finish in Group C, marking the second coaching casualty in the ongoing AFCON tournament. As the dust settles, Ghana is left to reassess its football strategy and plot a course for the future in the aftermath of this AFCON campaign.
