Late-night message from Carlos Queiroz led Roger de Sa to Ghana's World Cup coaching staff

Key facts

• Roger de Sa, 61, appointed Black Stars goalkeeper's trainer in April 2026.
• De Sa received a late-night message from Carlos Queiroz asking him to join Ghana's technical staff.
• De Sa has worked with Queiroz at multiple national teams, including South Africa, Egypt, Portugal, and Iran.
• This will be De Sa's seventh national team assignment and his third World Cup.
• De Sa has coached players like Mohamed Salah and Cristiano Ronaldo.
• De Sa's wife was the first person he told about the opportunity.

A midnight text that changed plans

Roger de Sa was asleep when his phone buzzed with a message from Carlos Queiroz. It was late at night, and the Portuguese coach was blunt: was De Sa ready for another big challenge? The South African goalkeeper's trainer read the message in the early hours, then called his wife to tell her there was a strong possibility he would be heading to his seventh national team — and another World Cup. “I got the news overnight,” De Sa told a South African sports outlet. “He basically asked me if I was up for a big challenge again, and he asked me to call him as soon as I woke up.” Queiroz explained that Ghana's national team was seeking his services, and he needed De Sa to come along as assistant coach. The decision, De Sa said, was not difficult.

A partnership forged across continents

De Sa and Queiroz have worked together with several national teams, including South Africa, Egypt, Portugal, and Iran. Their collaboration spans years and multiple World Cup campaigns, building a trust that made the late-night call possible. For De Sa, the role with Ghana represents another chapter in a career defined by adaptability and a relentless drive to win. “I've never had big dreams, to be honest with you, as a kid,” De Sa reflected. “It was always to just win every day, win every match, win every training session and try to win every competition.” That mentality, he said, has guided him through a career that has seen him coach some of the world's best players.

From Salah and Ronaldo to the Black Stars

De Sa's resume includes stints with Egypt's Mohamed Salah and Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo, among other elite talents. He has been to two World Cups previously and now prepares for a third with Ghana. The 61-year-old described the opportunity as a privilege, adding that he intends to make the most of every day. “It's always a great honour to be part of the fantastic national team in the World Cup once again,” he said. “It is a privilege, and I enjoy every day and make the most of it.” His appointment comes as Ghana finalises its technical staff ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with the tournament set to kick off later this year.

A family accustomed to football's demands

De Sa's wife was the first person he informed after receiving Queiroz's message. He noted that she has become accustomed to the sudden shifts that come with international football. “I think she's become pretty accustomed to this,” he said, acknowledging the family sacrifices behind his nomadic career. The coach's appointment is part of a broader reshaping of Ghana's backroom staff. Daniel Gaspar has also been named as a goalkeepers trainer, and the federation has secured a $5 million pledge from energy company E&P, with an initial $2 million installment already paid, to support the Black Stars' World Cup campaign.

What lies ahead for Ghana's World Cup push

Ghana will compete in the 2026 World Cup, which will be held across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The Black Stars are drawn in a group that includes some of the tournament's strongest sides, though the full fixture list is yet to be confirmed. Queiroz, a veteran coach with a track record of guiding teams deep into tournaments, will rely on De Sa's expertise in goal-keeping and his experience in high-pressure environments. De Sa downplayed any personal milestones, focusing instead on the collective goal. “As far as milestones are concerned, I know I'm a triple international and obviously being involved with seven national teams,” he said. But the driving force, he insisted, has always been the desire to win — every match, every session, every competition.

The bottom line

• Roger de Sa joined Ghana's World Cup staff after a late-night message from Carlos Queiroz.
• De Sa has worked with Queiroz at multiple national teams and is now on his seventh national team assignment.
• The 61-year-old has coached stars like Mohamed Salah and Cristiano Ronaldo and has been to two previous World Cups.
• De Sa's wife was the first person he told, reflecting the family support behind his career.
• Ghana has also appointed Daniel Gaspar as goalkeepers trainer and secured a $5 million pledge from E&P for the World Cup campaign.