2026 World Cup Qualifiers: ‘Chris Hughton isn’t a happy man; he’s under pressure’ — GFA Communications Director

The head coach of the Black Stars, Chris Hughton, is reportedly facing pressure as the team gears up for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.

Henry Asante Twum, the Communications Director of the Ghana Football Association (GFA), has shed light on the mounting challenges faced by the Irish-born manager.

This assessment comes in the wake of the Black Stars' disappointing performance in international friendly matches held in October.

During these friendly encounters, Hughton's squad endured consecutive defeats.

They first faced a 2-0 loss to Mexico at the Bank of America Stadium, followed by a humbling 4-0 defeat against the USA at GEODIS Park in Nashville.

These losses marked the end of Hughton's previously unbeaten start as the team's head coach.

The recent poor results have prompted calls from the football community for a change in leadership and have left Hughton's position under scrutiny.

In an interview, Henry Asante Twum acknowledged the pressure that Chris Hughton is currently grappling with.

"Chris Hughton is equally under pressure. He is an experienced man, having been in this job all his life as a player and as a coach for clubs and now as a national team coach, so it is not as if he does not know what is at stake in coaching Ghana," Twum stated during the interview with Asempa FM.

"He is not new to the job. Hughton has been with the team for a year and over, even though he was serving in a different capacity. He knows that the task ahead is a tough one, and it is about time he gets things done right."

Twum added that Hughton's demeanor reflected the stress he is currently facing, "I don’t think he (Chris Hughton) is a happy man because I am mostly with him, and when I go to him before and after games, you could tell that he is worried because every coach expects his players to put up a very good performance, and aside from the good performance, you have to win."