KANSAS CITY, Mo. : Carlos Queiroz has stepped down as Ghana coach after the team’s World Cup campaign ended with a disappointing 1-0 loss to Colombia in the first round of the knockout stage.
“We cannot claim complete sporting satisfaction, but we can proudly say that we have honored the colors of Ghana and restored respect and credibility for the Black Stars on the biggest stage of football,” Queiroz wrote in an Instagram post addressed to the country late on Sunday.
Ghana were on a four-match losing streak when the 73-year-old Portuguese coach was appointed in April as Otto Addo’s replacement.
Ghana lost to Mexico and drew with Wales in their World Cup warm-up before the team opened the tournament with a win over Panama in Group L. A goalless draw against England was enough for the team to advance as one of the best third-place finishers, despite losing to Croatia in their final group game.
Against Colombia, the team could only muster eight hits. None of them were at the gate.
“Football, like life, teaches us an eternal lesson: either win or learn,” Queiroz wrote. “I leave this journey proud of what we achieved, but also with the healthy resentment of those who always wanted more. Reaching a higher level should never be the destination – it should be the start of even greater ambitions.”
