Former Black Stars Management Committee member Ernest Thompson has expressed strong opposition to the possible reappointment of Kwesi Appiah as head coach of Ghana’s senior national team, insisting he can not lead the team to 2026 Mundial.
The Ghana Football Association (GFA) is currently on the search for a new coach following the dismissal of Otto Addo after back-to-back friendly defeats against Austria and Germany in March.
Notable names circulating as possible replacement includes James Kwasi Appiah who is currently with the Sudanese national men’s team. Several pundit’s and adminstrators have called for his appointment, but Ernest Thompson has a different view, disclosing he has no firmness to handle the team now hence rule him off the race for the coaching job.
Thompson believe Kwesi is not right fit for the task ahead in Mundial.
Appiah, has previously had two spells in charge of the Black Stars, with his last being 2020.
“I don’t think Kwesi Appiah has the firmness needed to control this team,” he told Joy Sports.
He emphasized the heightened expectations surrounding the World Cup, noting that the stakes differ significantly from other competitions.
“At this stage, we are dealing with high stakes — the World Cup is not a playground like the Africa Cup of Nations. Look at countries like England and Brazil; they’ve made bold decisions when necessary. See who they appointed. We need a coach with strong authority, character, and a solid technical team behind him,” he added.
The Ghana Football Association has within 60-days to announce a new head coach for the Black Stars before they intensify preparations for the upcoming international fixtures. The team will regroup in May for a friendly against Mexico, followed by another match against Wales on June 2.
The four-time Africa Champions will head into the 2026 FIFA World Cup marking their fifth appearance at the tournament having being drawn in Group L alongside Panama, England, and Croatia.
The Ghana Football Association (GFA) is currently on the search for a new coach following the dismissal of Otto Addo after back-to-back friendly defeats against Austria and Germany in March.
Notable names circulating as possible replacement includes James Kwasi Appiah who is currently with the Sudanese national men’s team. Several pundit’s and adminstrators have called for his appointment, but Ernest Thompson has a different view, disclosing he has no firmness to handle the team now hence rule him off the race for the coaching job.
Thompson believe Kwesi is not right fit for the task ahead in Mundial.
Appiah, has previously had two spells in charge of the Black Stars, with his last being 2020.
“I don’t think Kwesi Appiah has the firmness needed to control this team,” he told Joy Sports.
He emphasized the heightened expectations surrounding the World Cup, noting that the stakes differ significantly from other competitions.
“At this stage, we are dealing with high stakes — the World Cup is not a playground like the Africa Cup of Nations. Look at countries like England and Brazil; they’ve made bold decisions when necessary. See who they appointed. We need a coach with strong authority, character, and a solid technical team behind him,” he added.
The Ghana Football Association has within 60-days to announce a new head coach for the Black Stars before they intensify preparations for the upcoming international fixtures. The team will regroup in May for a friendly against Mexico, followed by another match against Wales on June 2.
The four-time Africa Champions will head into the 2026 FIFA World Cup marking their fifth appearance at the tournament having being drawn in Group L alongside Panama, England, and Croatia.

