Ghana fire Hughton after early exit from AFCON, Sanfiet quits Gambia

January 24 – Ghana have sacked coach Chris Hughton after their shock group-stage exit from the Africa Cup of Nations.

The move came after Cameroon defeated Gambia 3-2 to ensure that Ghana could no longer progress to the last 16 as one of the four best third-place teams.

The Black Stars slumped to a 2-1 defeat by Cape Verde in their opening match and then drew with Egypt and Mozambique.

Hughton, the former Tottenham defender and Newcastle and Brighton manager whose father hailed from Ghana, took over as coach in March, having earlier served as technical advisor to the team at the World Cup in Qatar.

“Chris Hughton has been relieved of his duties as head coach of the senior national team with immediate effect,” the Ghana Football Association said Tuesday after the team’s elimination was confirmed. “The executive council has also taken a decision to dissolve the technical team of the Black Stars.”

“The Ghana Football Association will in the coming days provide a roadmap on the future direction of the Black Stars.”

Ghana, who reached the World Cup quarter-finals in 2010, also went out of the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations at the group stage.

Hughton was not the only coaching casualty at the current tournament after Gambia boss Tom Saintfiet quit earlier on Tuesday when his side finished bottom of Group C.

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