Former Newcastle United and Tottenham man leads country to major tournament in international success

Former Newcastle United manager Chris Hughton has led Ghana to the finals of the African Cup of Nations.

The Black Stars had taken nine points from their first five group games but confirmed their place at next year’s finals in the Ivory Coast with a 2-1 win against the Central African Republic on Thursday. Hughton’s side fell behind to a goal from Louis Mousata midway through the first-half and were headed for what would have been an embarrassing elimination and a first failure to qualify for the finals since 2004.

But Ghana struck back just before half-time with a goal from West Ham United new boy Mohammed Kudus and a late strike from Lyon forward Ernest Nuamah that ensured they leapfrogged their hosts and Angola to top Group E and ensure they will have a chance to win the Cup of Nations for the fifth time in their history and for the first time since 1982.

Former Magpies manager Hughton was appointed as a technical advisor to Ghana’s coaching staff on a short-term basis in February 2022 before returning to the role for last year’s World Cup Finals in Qatar. The departure of head coach Otto Addo saw Hughton step into the lead role in February and he will now have an opportunity to lead his country into the AFCON finals in January.

The finals were set to take place earlier this summer but were moved to January after concerns were raised over weather conditions during what is the height of the rainy season in the Ivory Coast.

Speaking about the decision, Confederation of African Football president Patrice Motsepe said: “"We cannot take the risk. January is not the ideal time because of the European clubs, but it is the only choice we have.”