South African trainer Roger De Sa to be named Ghana assistant coach ahead of 2026 World Cup

South African tactician Roger De Sa is expected to be officially confirmed as assistant coach of Ghana’s senior national team, the Black Stars, ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

De Sa will link up with newly appointed head coach Carlos Queiroz, reuniting a partnership that has previously seen the duo work together at international level with both Egypt and Iran.

Speaking to South African outlet KickOff, De Sa confirmed his imminent arrival in Accra to begin work immediately, highlighting the swift nature of his appointment following changes in Ghana’s technical leadership.

“I will fly out on Thursday to Accra to start working straight away,” De Sa told South African portal KickOff.

“I think when the previous coach left, the Ghana FA looked at Carlos Queiroz, and obviously it happened very quickly. Within four to five days, it was done.”

Reflecting on his new assignment, De Sa acknowledged the logistical and technical challenges ahead, particularly the limited preparation time and the fact that most national team players are based in Europe.

“Those are the challenges, but it comes with a job like this,” he said.

“[I’ve] been watching a lot of films, videos, watching different players with different clubs. The biggest challenge is obviously to select a team without having really enough time. And obviously, the preparations are also very short. You’ve got about two weeks to prepare your team.

“But ja, that’s how it is, that’s the name of the game,” he adds, while the difficulties that await him in his new job are not lost on the 61-year-old tactician.”

Despite the constraints, the former Bidvest Wits coach insisted the demands are part of the profession, describing the assignment as difficult but familiar territory.

“It’s not easy, it’s gonna be difficult, but they’re all difficult anyway,” he added.

Meanwhile, Queiroz is expected to be unveiled in Accra on Thursday, with expectations high that his extensive tournament experience will strengthen Ghana’s World Cup campaign.

The Black Stars have been drawn in Group L for their fifth World Cup appearance, where they will face Panama, England, and Croatia. Their campaign begins on June 17 against Panama, before fixtures against England on June 23 and Croatia on June 27.

Queiroz arrives with a strong World Cup pedigree, having guided Iran to consecutive appearances in 2014 and 2018, led Portugal to the Round of 16 in 2010, and previously helped South Africa reach qualification for the 2002 tournament.