The Ghana Football Association (GFA) has made notable changes to the Black Stars’ technical team ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers in March.
The key addition is German coach Winfried Anton Schäfer, who will take on the role of Technical Advisor to head coach Otto Addo. With over 40 years in football management, Schäfer brings vast experience, including guiding Cameroon to victory in the 2002 Africa Cup of Nations.
In addition to his advisory role, Schäfer will also serve as the Director of Football for the GFA, focusing on the long-term development of Ghanaian football. His career includes managing national teams such as Cameroon, Thailand, and Jamaica, and working with top European clubs like Borussia Mönchengladbach, Karlsruher SC, VfB Stuttgart, and Borussia Berlin. He has also managed UAE clubs including Al Ain, Al-Ahli Dubai, Baniyas, and Al-Khor.
Joining the team is Desmond Ofei, Ghana’s Under-20 coach, whose recent success at the 2024 African Games earned him the SWAG Coach of the Year award. Ofei is expected to bring valuable tactical insights and analytical skills to the Black Stars’ camp.
The technical team also welcomes Belgian sports psychologist Kris Perquy, who brings 17 years of experience. Perquy has played a key role in professionalising football psychology in Belgium and has worked with the Belgian Football Association for 15 years, along with serving as a mental coach for various professional clubs in the country.
The team’s video analysis department will be headed by Belgian expert Gregory De Grauwe, a UEFA License B holder with a background in physical education. De Grauwe has worked with clubs such as Sporting Lokeren and K. Beerschot VA, and his appointment is expected to enhance the Black Stars’ match preparation and tactical assessments.
Additionally, two experienced equipment officers, Issah Amadou of Asante Kotoko and Abdul Rahman Alhassan of Hearts of Oak, have been named to the team. With a combined experience of 53 years, the duo is expected to bring efficiency and professionalism to the team’s logistics and preparation.
The latest appointments signal a renewed push by the GFA to bolster the Black Stars’ technical setup, ensuring that the team is well-prepared for upcoming challenges on the road to the 2026 World Cup.
