Roger De Sa: It was an easy decision to join Ghana’s backroom staff

Black Stars assistant coach Roger De Sa has revealed that joining Ghana’s senior national team coaching setup was an easy decision, citing the country’s rich football heritage and the opportunity to compete at the FIFA World Cup.

De Sa became part of the Black Stars technical team after Carlos Queiroz was appointed head coach earlier this year following the departure of Otto Addo. Addo left his role in March after Ghana suffered consecutive defeats against Austria and Germany.

Having worked closely with Queiroz for several years, De Sa said accepting the invitation to join the Black Stars backroom staff required little hesitation.

“Being called to assist Carlos was not difficult. This is Ghana, and it’s the World Cup we are talking about,” he said on the Beyond The Whistle podcast.

The former South African coach also shared the memorable moment he received the call from Queiroz, describing it as an exciting and life-changing experience.

“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.

De Sa’s arrival forms part of a revamped Black Stars technical setup tasked with preparing the team for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, where expectations remain high despite recent setbacks.

Ghana’s preparations for the global tournament suffered an early blow following a 2-0 defeat to Mexico in an international friendly. However, attention has now shifted to their next test against Wales on June 2 at the Cardiff City Stadium.

The Black Stars have been placed in a challenging Group L for the 2026 World Cup alongside Panama, England and Croatia.

Ghana will open their campaign against Panama at BMO Field in Toronto on June 17 before facing England at the Boston Stadium on June 23. The four-time African champions will then round off their group-stage matches against Croatia at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia on June 27.

With World Cup football on the horizon, De Sa and the Black Stars technical team will be hoping to build momentum and guide Ghana to a successful campaign on football’s biggest stage.