Former Ghana Football Association (GFA) Technical Director Francis Oti Akenteng says local coaches have the quality and experience to lead the Black Stars and should be given greater consideration.

His comments follow the appointment of Swedish coach Kim Lars Björkegren to lead Ghana’s interim technical team ahead of next month’s 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers against Somalia.

Björkegren will work alongside assistants Ibrahim Tanko and Godwin Attram, while Fatawu Dauda has been appointed goalkeepers’ coach.

The decision by the GFA and the Ministry of Sports and Recreation to appoint an interim team without a local coach in the leading role has attracted criticism from sections of the public.

Speaking on Asempa FM’s , Oti Akenteng said overlooking Ghanaian coaches could undermine their confidence and willingness to serve the national team.

“There are local coaches who are capable of coaching the Black Stars,” he said.

“If they are always overlooked, that is a sign of disrespect, and if the local coaches are not respected, they will not have an interest in coaching,” he added.

Ghana are searching for a substantive head coach following the departure of Carlos Queiroz, who left his position after a disappointing start to the 2027 AFCON qualifying campaign.

The Black Stars suffered consecutive defeats against Ivory Coast and The Gambia in their opening Group C matches, leaving them bottom of the standings without a point.

The results have increased pressure on the GFA and the Sports Ministry to find a coach capable of rebuilding the team and reviving Ghana’s qualification hopes.

The two bodies are expected to announce a substantive head coach in November, with the interim technical team tasked with overseeing the upcoming fixtures against Somalia.