Black Stars Technical Advisor Winfried Schäfer has shed light on the crucial behind-the-scenes contribution he made to Ghana’s successful qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Speaking in an interview with Medeamaa FM, the experienced German coach explained that his impact went far beyond tactics and matchday instructions. According to Schäfer, building unity, maintaining strong communication, and prioritizing player welfare were central to the team’s achievement.

Drawing on his years of coaching experience, Schäfer revealed that he closely observed the team’s daily routines, from training sessions to shared meals, to better understand the players and the overall team dynamic.

Winfried Schäfer emphasized the importance of personal interaction, noting that he engaged both senior players such as Thomas Partey and Jordan Ayew, as well as younger members of the squad. Beyond football discussions, Schäfer made it a point to understand players on a personal level, asking about their families and club situations to foster trust and openness within the camp.

Another key focus was maintaining a healthy relationship between the national team and players’ respective clubs. Schäfer highlighted the need to ensure that players returned to their clubs fit and injury-free after international duty, acknowledging that club coaches expect their players to come back in top condition.

He also pointed to improvements in training facilities and matchday environments as important elements that boosted player performance. According to him, providing quality pitches and a professional setup created the right atmosphere for success.

Equally significant was the positive spirit within the squad. Schäfer described a united group filled with confidence, laughter, and determination. He stressed that the team approached matches with a winning mentality rather than a fear of defeat — a mindset he believes made a major difference.

The veteran tactician further underlined the importance of squad depth, praising not only the starting lineup but also the players on the bench for their full commitment to the team’s objective.

Ghana’s qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup stands as a major accomplishment, and Schäfer’s reflections highlight the strong structure, discipline, and unity that fueled the Black Stars’ successful campaign.

The Ghana Football Association (GFA) has announced the appointment of five experienced professionals to reinforce the Black Stars’ technical setup ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America.

The strategic move, carried out in collaboration with key stakeholders, is aimed at improving Ghana’s competitiveness and ensuring a well-structured technical team as preparations intensify for the tournament, which will be hosted by Canada, Mexico and the United States.

French coach Alain Ravera has been appointed Assistant Coach. Ravera brings international experience, having previously worked with the Guinea national team and French top-flight side AS Monaco.

He will work alongside Kim Lars Björkegren, Head Coach of the Black Queens, who has also been named Assistant Coach. The Swedish tactician guided the Black Queens to a bronze medal at the 2025 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations and has secured qualification for the 2026 WAFCON.

To boost scouting, match preparation and performance analysis, the GFA has added Spanish tactician José Daniel Martínez Alfonso to the technical team. Martínez Alfonso currently serves as an assistant coach and video analyst with Major League Soccer club Atlanta FC.

The medical department has been reinforced with the return of Carlos Lozano Romero as Team Physiotherapist. Lozano previously worked with the Black Stars during the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, ensuring continuity and familiarity with the team’s environment.

Completing the new appointments is British-born Ghanaian performance expert Dwayne Peasah Paa Kwesi, who takes up the role of Performance Coach. His duties will focus on physical conditioning, player optimisation and overall performance management throughout the World Cup campaign.

The GFA confirmed that the appointments are exclusively for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, in line with its long-standing tradition of expanding the Black Stars’ technical team for major international tournaments.

All five professionals will work alongside the existing technical staff led by Head Coach Otto Addo, as Ghana steps up preparations with the goal of making a strong impact on the world stage.