The Ghana Football Association (GFA) has announced major changes in the technical direction of the Black Stars, as they prepare for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers in March.
Leading the pack of new technical team members is experienced German tactician Winfred Anton Shaefer, with over 40 years of experience and an AFCON trophy with Cameroon in 2002. He would act as the Technical Advisor to Coach Otto Addo to build a winsome team. In addition, he would also play the role of Director of Football for the Football Association.
Coach Schafer assumes the role having excelled in a managerial career spanning a little over 40 years working with a number of national teams (Cameroon, Thailand and Jamaica) as well as European clubs including Borussia Monchengladbach, Karlsruher SC, VFB Stuttgart and Borussia Berlin. The highlight of Schafer’s experience with national teams was his winning the African Cup of Nations with Cameroon in 2002.
Coach Schafer also coached in the United Arab Emirates, working with top clubs namely Al Ain, Al-Ahli Dubai, Baniyas and Al-Khor. His last coaching role was with Al Khor. Also on board is the national Under-20 Coach, Desmond Ofei. The Africa Games gold medal winning Coach and Sports Writers Association of Ghana (SWAG) Coach of the Year 2024, who had carved a niche for himself as an achiever, is expected to bring his expertise and deep analytical prowess to the team.
Kris Perquy, an experienced Sports Psychologist with 17 years’ experience, takes up the mantle of Psychologist of the team. Perquy was a key resource in the professionalization of the football psychology of Belgium, where he worked with the Belgian Football Association for 15 years. He also worked as Mental Coach for a number of professional football clubs in Belgium.
The Video Analysis Unit of the team will be headed by Belgian Video Analyst Gregory De Grauwe who has built his expertise and experience in Video Analysis working with football clubs including Sporting Lokeren and K. Beerschot VA. De Grauwe holds a UEFA License B Coaching license as well as a Bachelor’s degree in Physical Education.
Two new vastly experienced Equipment Officers, in the persons of Issah Amadou (Asante Kotoko) and Abdul Rahman Alhassan (Hearts of Oak). have also been named to the team. These two equipment handlers have a combined total of fifty-three years’ experience between them.
Source: GNA
