Two damaging defeats, a coaching shake-up and a qualification campaign handing by a thread, Coach Ibrahim Tanko has stepped into a Black Stars rescue mission, convinced Ghana possess the quality and character to overcome their troubled start and fight their way back into contention for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations despite the enormous challenge confronting their newly assembled technical team.
The Medeama SC head coach, appointed assistant coach of the Black Stars under an interim technical arrangement, is confident Ghana can rediscover their winning touch, beginning with this month’s crucial double-header against Somalia.
Consecutive defeats to Côte d'Ivoire and The Gambia have left Ghana's AFCON ambitions on shaky ground, prompting the departure of Portuguese coach Carlos Queiroz and forcing the Ghana Football Association (GFA) to assemble an emergency technical team.
The GFA has entrusted Black Queens coach Kim Lars Björkegren with the interim leadership, supported by Tanko and former international Godwin Attram as assistants, while ex-Black Stars goalkeeper Fatawu Dauda takes charge of goalkeeping duties.
For Tanko, the appointment represents both a privilege and an enormous responsibility, with Ghana desperately needing results to revive their continental ambitions.
"I am proud to be one of those who can help Ghana in this very tough situation," he told Joy Sports last Saturday.
"For me, national duty is something special. I have served Ghana in different capacities, and whenever the opportunity comes to contribute, I see it as a privilege. The situation may be challenging, but we must be ready to give our best."
Somalia double-header crucial
Ghana's immediate examination comes against Somalia in back-to-back Group C qualifiers on November 12 and 16, fixtures that could shape the direction of their recovery.
Having stumbled against two group rivals, the Black Stars can ill afford further setbacks before the qualifying campaign resumes next year.
Tanko believes a positive response against Somalia could restore confidence and provide the momentum needed for the more demanding encounters ahead.
"We cannot afford to look too far ahead without first taking care of the immediate task. The Somalia matches are our priority. If we can get the right results and build momentum, we can approach the next qualifiers with renewed confidence," he stressed.
Ghana host Côte d'Ivoire on March 24, 2027, before travelling to face The Gambia four days later, with both matches potentially decisive in determining their qualification fate.
Beyond the results, Tanko considers rebuilding collective belief and restoring the players' sense of responsibility essential to reversing the team's fortunes.
"Ghana has a very good squad, with quality players who can compete. What matters is getting everyone to believe in the collective objective, understanding the responsibility of wearing the national colours and translating our potential into performances on the pitch."
Experience for rescue mission
A UEFA A Licence holder and former Ghana international with 20 senior appearances, Tanko brings considerable experience to the assignment.
He previously assisted Kwasi Appiah during his second spell as Black Stars coach between 2017 and 2019, managed the home-based Black Stars B in 2020 and coached the national Under-23 side, the Black Meteors.
His return to national duty comes alongside his responsibilities at Medeama, where he has established himself among Ghana's leading domestic coaches, after leading the Tarkwa-based side to Ghana Premier League title last season and still leading the league log after nine matches.
The key challenge in the rescue mission is to translate the squad's undoubted potential into victories, beginning against Somalia, and restore belief that the Black Stars can still reach the 2027 AFCON being staged jointly by Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania.
