Black Stars goalkeeper Lawrence Ati Zigi has expressed his support for Carlos Queiroz to remain as head coach of Ghana’s senior national team, saying the experienced Portuguese manager has had a positive impact on the squad since taking over.
The future of Queiroz has been one of the biggest talking points in Ghanaian football since the Black Stars ended their campaign at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. While there has been widespread speculation about whether the veteran coach will continue in the role, Ati Zigi believes keeping him would be a positive decision for the national team.
The goalkeeper spoke openly about the atmosphere created by Queiroz during his short time in charge and praised the coach for bringing confidence and positivity into the Black Stars camp.
Although Ati Zigi admitted he does not know the details of the coach’s contract, he believes the Portuguese tactician has already shown qualities that could help Ghana continue moving in the right direction.
Queiroz Arrived Ahead of the World Cup
Carlos Queiroz was appointed as Ghana’s head coach in April after the Ghana Football Association decided to part ways with Otto Addo in March.
The experienced Portuguese manager accepted a short term contract with the responsibility of preparing the Black Stars for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
His arrival came during a challenging period for the national team, with little time available to prepare before the biggest football tournament in the world.
Despite the limited preparation period, Queiroz quickly assembled his technical staff and began working with the players ahead of the competition.
His experience at both club and international level gave many supporters confidence that he could improve the team within a short period.
Questions Remain Over His Future
Although Carlos Queiroz successfully guided Ghana through the World Cup campaign, uncertainty has continued to surround his future.
The speculation increased after the Portuguese coach shared an emotional message on social media following Ghana’s elimination from the tournament.
Many supporters interpreted the message as a farewell statement, believing he had decided to step away from the national team.
The post quickly generated widespread discussion across Ghana and beyond, with many reports suggesting the veteran coach had resigned.
However, the situation later changed.
Queiroz Denied Resigning
Shortly after the reports began circulating, Carlos Queiroz addressed the growing speculation during a viral interview. The Portuguese coach explained that he had not resigned from his role as Black Stars head coach.
Instead, he said his social media message had simply been intended as a note of appreciation to everyone who had supported the team during the World Cup.
His clarification surprised many football fans because numerous reports had already claimed that his time with Ghana had come to an end. Since then, there has been continued uncertainty regarding his future as supporters wait for an official decision.
Ati Zigi Praises the Coach
Lawrence Ati Zigi has now become one of the latest members of the Black Stars to publicly speak about Carlos Queiroz.
The experienced goalkeeper believes the Portuguese manager has made a positive contribution to the national team.
While he admitted he is not aware of the contractual discussions taking place behind the scenes, Ati Zigi feels Queiroz has created a good environment within the squad.
Speaking to Sporty FM, the goalkeeper explained why he believes keeping the coach would benefit Ghana.
“I don’t know about his contract situation, but I feel he is a great coach, and I love how he brought about the positivity in camp, but if the leadership wants him to stay, it will be a good decision,” he told Sporty FM.
His comments reflect the respect many players appear to have developed for the experienced Portuguese manager during their time working together.
Goalkeeper Played Key Role During the Tournament
Lawrence Ati Zigi was one of Ghana’s most important players during the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The goalkeeper featured in two matches under Carlos Queiroz and produced several important saves that helped keep the Black Stars competitive.
His performances once again demonstrated why he remains one of Ghana’s most reliable players. Throughout the tournament, Ati Zigi displayed confidence, composure and strong leadership from the back.
His experience proved valuable, especially during difficult moments against some of the strongest teams in the competition.
His support for Queiroz therefore carries significant weight given the close working relationship between players and coaching staff during the tournament.
Ghana Made a Positive Start
The Black Stars began their World Cup campaign with a determined performance against Panama. Ghana secured a narrow 1-0 victory that provided an excellent start to the tournament.
The result boosted confidence within the squad and rewarded the work done by the coaching staff before the competition.
Winning the opening match also placed Ghana in a strong position heading into the remaining group fixtures. Players and supporters believed the team had established a solid foundation for qualification.
Strong Defensive Display Against England
Ghana’s second match came against England, one of the favourites to challenge for the World Cup title. The Black Stars produced an organised defensive performance and successfully held England to a goalless draw.
The result attracted praise from football supporters and analysts because of Ghana’s discipline throughout the ninety minutes.
The coaching staff also received recognition for implementing a tactical approach that frustrated one of the tournament’s strongest attacking teams. The draw became one of Ghana’s standout performances during the competition.
Croatia Defeat But Qualification Secured
The final group stage match saw Ghana face Croatia. Although the Black Stars lost 2-1, they managed to finish third in Group L.
Under the tournament’s expanded format, that position was enough to secure qualification for the Round of 32 as one of the best third placed teams. Reaching the knockout stage represented an important achievement for Ghana.
It marked the country’s first appearance in the World Cup knockout rounds since 2010 and gave supporters hope that the team could continue progressing. The players celebrated the achievement while preparing for another difficult challenge.
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