Black Stars assistant coach Roger De Sa has opened up on the decision to join Ghana’s senior national team technical setup, describing the opportunity as one he could not turn down because of the country’s football heritage and the significance of the FIFA World Cup.
The experienced South African coach was recently appointed as part of the Black Stars’ backroom staff following the arrival of Portuguese trainer Carlos Queiroz, who took charge of the national team earlier this year ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
De Sa’s appointment forms part of efforts by the Ghana Football Association to strengthen the technical team as the Black Stars prepare for football’s biggest tournament, which will be hosted across the United States, Canada and Mexico.
Speaking during an interview on the Beyond The Whistle podcast, De Sa explained that the decision to work with Ghana came naturally because of the respect he has for the country’s football tradition and achievements on the international stage.
According to him, Ghana remains one of the most recognised football nations in Africa and the chance to participate in a World Cup campaign made the offer even more attractive.
“Being called to assist Carlos was not difficult. This is Ghana, and it’s the World Cup we are talking about,” De Sa stated.
The former Orlando Pirates coach also shared details of the emotional moment he received the call from Carlos Queiroz informing him about the opportunity to join the Black Stars setup.
De Sa revealed that the conversation happened in the early hours of the morning and immediately sparked excitement in his household.
“It was an exciting 3 am call. I told my wife first and, as custom, she said, ‘We are leaving.’ I replied, ‘Let’s go!’” he recounted.
The comments have already generated excitement among Ghanaian football supporters, many of whom are hopeful the new technical direction can help revive the fortunes of the Black Stars after a difficult period.
Roger De Sa and Carlos Queiroz share a long-standing professional relationship that stretches across several coaching assignments over the years.
Their experience working together is expected to play a key role in building stability and tactical organisation within the Black Stars camp ahead of the World Cup.
Queiroz, who officially replaced Otto Addo earlier this year, arrived at a time when pressure was mounting on the national team following inconsistent performances and disappointing results.
Otto Addo was relieved of his duties in March after Ghana suffered back-to-back defeats against Austria and Germany during international friendly matches.
The losses raised concerns about the team’s direction and preparedness ahead of the World Cup, prompting the Ghana Football Association to make changes to the technical setup.
The appointment of Carlos Queiroz was viewed by many football observers as a bold decision due to his extensive experience in international football.
The Portuguese tactician has previously managed several national teams and is widely respected for his tactical discipline, defensive organisation and experience at major tournaments.
With Roger De Sa now part of the setup, the Black Stars technical bench is expected to benefit from additional experience and a strong understanding between the coaches.
The Black Stars are currently continuing preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup and recently tested themselves against Mexico in an international friendly.
Ghana suffered a 2-0 defeat in the match, but members of the technical team insist the focus remains on building a competitive squad capable of performing strongly at the tournament.
Despite the result, the game provided another opportunity for the coaches to assess players, experiment with tactical systems and identify areas that require improvement before the World Cup begins.
Attention has now shifted to another important preparatory fixture against Wales scheduled for June 2 at the Cardiff City Stadium.
The match is expected to provide the Black Stars with another difficult test as the technical team continues shaping the final squad for the tournament.
Football analysts believe the upcoming friendlies will play a major role in helping Queiroz and his assistants determine the players best suited for the World Cup challenge.
Competition for places in the squad is also expected to intensify in the coming weeks as players seek to impress the technical team before the final list is announced.
At the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Ghana have been drawn in a challenging Group L alongside Panama, England and Croatia.
The Black Stars will open their campaign against Panama at BMO Field in Toronto on June 17 before facing England at the Boston Stadium on June 23.
Ghana will then conclude their group-stage matches against Croatia at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia on June 27.
The group has already been described by football fans and analysts as one of the toughest at the tournament due to the quality and experience of the teams involved.
England head into the competition as one of Europe’s strongest sides, while Croatia continue to command respect following their impressive performances at recent international tournaments.
Panama are also expected to provide difficult opposition as they continue developing their football structure and international competitiveness.
For Ghana, the tournament presents another opportunity to restore pride and re-establish themselves among Africa’s top football nations on the global stage.
The Black Stars have struggled to make a deep impact at recent World Cups after suffering group-stage exits in both 2014 and 2022.
Supporters across the country are therefore hoping the arrival of Carlos Queiroz and Roger De Sa can inspire a new chapter for the national team.
With preparations intensifying and expectations continuing to rise, the coming weeks could prove crucial in shaping Ghana’s ambitions ahead of the tournament.
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