Ghana’s national football team, the Black Stars, has parted ways with head coach Chris Hughton following the team’s elimination from the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), News About Nigeria reports.
The decision was announced by the Ghana Football Association (GFA) on Tuesday after the Black Stars failed to secure a victory in any of their three group-stage matches in Cote d’Ivoire.
Hughton, a 65-year-old former Newcastle manager, had been working with the GFA since February 2022 as a technical advisor alongside head coach Otto Addo.
The Black Stars finished third in Group B, managing only two points from draws and failing to advance to the knockout stage.
In a statement released on Tuesday, the GFA Executive Council confirmed Hughton’s dismissal and further disclosed the dissolution of the technical team of the Black Stars.
The association pledged to provide a roadmap on the future direction of the national team in the coming days.
“The Ghana Football Association (GFA) 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. The Ghana Football Association will in the coming days provide a roadmap on the future direction of the Black Stars,” the statement read.
Despite a draw against Mozambique on Monday, Ghana’s chances of progressing to the last 16 as one of the best third-placed teams were slim.
The Black Stars have faced early exits in the last two AFCON tournaments, and their struggles continued with a winless streak of seven AFCON matches.
Meanwhile, in Group A, the Super Eagles of Nigeria secured their spot in the round of 16 by defeating Guinea-Bissau 1-0.
Nigeria finished as runners-up in Group A with seven points, and they will face the runners-up from Group C in the next round.
The last-16 tie for the Super Eagles is scheduled to take place on Saturday at the Felix Houphouet Boigny Stadium in Abidjan.
