adverts
In a bold move to strengthen their technical setup for the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, the Ghana Football Association (GFA) has announced significant changes to the Black Stars’ technical team.
The most notable addition is German tactician Winfried Anton Schäfer, who will take on the dual role of technical advisor to head coach Otto Addo and Director of Football for the GFA. Schäfer, a veteran coach with over four decades of experience, brings a wealth of knowledge to the Black Stars.
His distinguished career includes leading Cameroon to victory in the 2002 Africa Cup of Nations, and he has also managed national teams in Thailand, Jamaica, and the UAE. At the club level, Schäfer has had stints with renowned European sides such as Borussia Mönchengladbach, Karlsruher SC, VfB Stuttgart, and Borussia Berlin, as well as Middle Eastern clubs like Al Ain, Al-Ahli Dubai, and Baniyas.
adverts
His new role with the GFA will see him focus not only on the technical aspects of the Black Stars’ performance but also on long-term strategic development for Ghanaian football.
Joining Schäfer is Desmond Ofei, the head coach of Ghana’s Under-20 team, whose recent success at the 2024 African Games earned him the Sports Writers Association of Ghana (SWAG) Coach of the Year award.
Ofei’s tactical insights and leadership qualities will complement the work of the Black Stars’ head coach, Otto Addo, as he assumes a key position in the senior team’s setup.
The GFA has also appointed Belgian sports psychologist Kris Perquy, who will work with the team to ensure the mental well-being and resilience of the players. Perquy’s 17 years of experience in football psychology, particularly with the Belgian Football Association and several top clubs, will provide the Black Stars with the mental fortitude needed for high-stakes matches.
Enhancing the Black Stars’ tactical and match preparation will be Gregory De Grauwe, a Belgian video analyst with a UEFA License B and experience working with clubs like Sporting Lokeren and K. Beerschot VA.
His role in the video analysis department will focus on in-depth match reviews and tactical assessments, aiming to improve the team’s performance on the field.
The technical team’s support structure is further reinforced with the appointment of experienced equipment officers, Issah Amadou of Asante Kotoko and Abdul Rahman Alhassan of Hearts of Oak. Together, the duo brings 53 years of experience in handling logistics and team preparations, ensuring smooth operations for the Black Stars throughout their journey to the 2026 World Cup.
This reshuffling and the appointment of high-level technical experts highlight the GFA’s commitment to ensuring that the Black Stars are well-equipped to face the challenges ahead in their quest for World Cup qualification.
With the team gearing up for the 2026 qualifiers, the GFA’s revamped technical team is poised to bring a fresh approach to Ghana’s national football setup, combining experience, tactical intelligence, and mental resilience to elevate the Black Stars to new heights.
GOT A STORY?
Contact/WhatsApp: +233243201960 or Email: manuelnkansah33@gmail.com
