The Ghana Football Association (GFA) has appointed Winfried Schäfer, the 2002 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON)-winning coach with Cameroon, as part of a major coaching revamp.
The 75-year-old German takes over as director of football, while also serving as technical advisor to Black Stars head coach, Otto Addo, as Ghana aims to rebuild after recent setbacks.
Ghana’s football fortunes have declined, with the national team failing to qualify for AFCON 2025—marking their first absence from the tournament since 2004. They currently sit second in their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying group, where only the winners secure automatic qualification.
The GFA has tasked Schäfer with overseeing long-term strategic planning, youth development, and ensuring consistently strong performances across national teams.
Other key appointments include Desmond Ofei, who moves from coaching the Under-20 team to becoming assistant coach of the Black Stars. Additionally, Belgian experts Kris Perquy and Gregory de Grauwe have been named team psychologist and chief video analyst, respectively.
The restructuring aims to restore Ghana’s football dominance and secure qualification for the 2026 World Cup in North America.
