Avram Grant Arrives in Ghana to Begin Tenure as Black Stars Head Coach
By BBC Sport – Football
Avram Grant has officially taken up his role as head coach of the Ghana national team, arriving in Accra on Tuesday evening to begin preparations for the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations.
The former Chelsea manager touched down in the Ghanaian capital to a warm welcome and expressed enthusiasm for the challenge ahead. “I am very happy to be in Ghana and am eager to start working with the players,” the Israeli coach said upon arrival.
Grant wasted no time settling into his new role. On Wednesday, he met with Ghana’s Minister of Youth and Sports, Mahama Ayariga, before holding preliminary discussions with key figures from the Black Stars’ coaching staff.
Among those expected to work closely with Grant is Maxwell Konadu, who has served as interim head coach since the departure of Kwesi Appiah earlier this year. Konadu, along with Ghana Football Association (GFA) president Kwesi Nyantakyi, is currently in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea, attending the draw for the 2015 AFCON tournament.
Grant will be formally introduced to the press on Thursday. He is scheduled to begin full preparations with the national team next Monday as Ghana begins its build-up to the continental competition, which kicks off in January.
“All outstanding questions with Avram Grant have been answered, and we believe he is the right man for the job,” said GFA president Nyantakyi, confirming the association’s confidence in the appointment.
The 59-year-old coach brings with him a wealth of international experience, having led Chelsea to the 2008 UEFA Champions League final and previously managed clubs in Israel and England, including Portsmouth and West Ham United. His task now will be to guide a talented but underperforming Ghana side back to prominence on the African stage.
The Black Stars, four-time continental champions, are seeking their first AFCON title since 1982. Expectations are high, and Grant’s leadership will be closely scrutinised as the nation hopes to end a long trophy drought.
His appointment marks a new chapter for Ghanaian football — one that many hope will bring renewed discipline, tactical organisation, and international success.
