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Chris Hughton: Black Stars Coach Sacked After Ghana’s Group Stage Exit at AFCON 2023.
Ghana has decided to part ways with coach Chris Hughton following the team’s group-stage exit from the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). The Black Stars finished their campaign in Group B with two points, drawing 2-2 against both Egypt and Mozambique and suffering a 2-1 defeat to Cape Verde in their opening match.
Ghana had slim hopes of progressing as one of the four best-ranked third-placed teams, but those hopes were dashed on Tuesday when other results did not favor them.
Chris Hughton, who took over as Ghana’s head coach in February of the previous year, will no longer continue in the role. The decision to part ways with Hughton comes after the team’s disappointing performance in the AFCON, failing to advance to the knockout stages.
“Chris Hughton has been relieved of his duties with immediate effect,” a Ghana Football Association (GFA) statement said., external
“The executive council has also taken a decision to dissolve the technical team of the Black Stars.
“The GFA will in the coming days provide a roadmap on the future direction of the Black Stars.”
Former Newcastle United and Brighton boss Chris Hughton took on the role of technical adviser for Ghana, a four-time continental champion, in February 2022. He assumed the managerial position after Otto Addo stepped down following Ghana’s performance in the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, where the team finished at the bottom of Group H.
Ghana’s recent history in major tournaments includes exiting the 2021 AFCON in Cameroon at the group stage and facing a similar fate in the Ivory Coast tournament.
The Ghana Football Association (GFA) initially expressed full support for Hughton after a fan reportedly had a “verbal altercation” with the coach following the team’s defeat to Cape Verde.
Despite Ghana’s promising position in Group B and a 2-0 lead over Mozambique in their final group game, the Black Stars suffered an unexpected setback. Mozambique managed to score twice in second-half stoppage time, securing a draw that eliminated Ghana from the tournament.
Hughton’s tenure also saw a mixed start to the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, with Ghana securing a stoppage-time victory against Madagascar but facing a 1-0 defeat in Comoros. The decision to part ways with Hughton comes in the aftermath of these disappointing outcomes in major competitions.