The Ghana Football Association (GFA) has announced significant changes to the Black Stars' technical team as they gear up for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers in March.  

Leading the new additions is seasoned German tactician Winfried Anton Schäfer, who takes on the role of Technical Advisor to head coach Otto Addo. Schäfer, a highly experienced coach with over four decades in football management, brings a wealth of expertise, having guided Cameroon to victory in the 2002 Africa Cup of Nations.  

Beyond his advisory role, Schäfer will also serve as the Director of Football for the GFA, a move aimed at strengthening the long-term development of Ghanaian football. His extensive career has seen him manage national teams including Cameroon, Thailand, and Jamaica, as well as top European clubs such as Borussia Mönchengladbach, Karlsruher SC, VfB Stuttgart, and Borussia Berlin. Schäfer has also worked in the Middle East with UAE clubs such as Al Ain, Al-Ahli Dubai, Baniyas, and Al-Khor.

Joining the technical team is Ghana's Under-20 coach, Desmond Ofei, whose recent success at the 2024 African Games earned him the Sports Writers Association of Ghana (SWAG) Coach of the Year award. Ofei is expected to bring his tactical expertise and analytical acumen to the Black Stars' setup.  

Also on board is Belgian sports psychologist Kris Perquy, who assumes the role of team psychologist. Perquy, with 17 years of experience, played a pivotal role in professionalising football psychology in Belgium, where he worked with the Belgian Football Association for 15 years. He has also served as a mental coach for various professional clubs in Belgium.  

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.