GFA President called me to provide structure and save Ghana football – Winfried Schaefer

Winfried Schaefer is the Technical Advisor for the Black Stars. He also serves as the Director of Football at the Ghana Football Association (GFA). His appointment came from a direct request by the GFA President. The goal is to stabilize and restructure Ghana football.

In an interview with Sächsische Zeitung, Schaefer discussed his role. He noted concerns about the national team's performance. There was also a lack of cohesion in football structures across Ghana.

“The team missed the Africa Cup,” he said. “This is considered a catastrophe in Ghana.” He mentioned unrest in the squad and poor World Cup qualification efforts. The federation president asked him to bring structure back.

Schaefer has experience with national teams like Cameroon and Jamaica. In Ghana, he focuses on long-term technical guidance, not coaching from the sidelines. He collaborates closely with Black Stars head coach Otto Addo.

“It’s not about being a guru,” he explained. “I know what works in African football.”

Schaefer was appointed after Ghana failed to qualify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations. He also started during a tough phase for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers. His aim is to unify Ghana's fragmented football ecosystem and develop sustainable systems.

“There’s still a lot of work to do,” he stated. “The real challenge is implementing sustainable projects.” He is seeking international partners for support but remains optimistic.

As Technical Advisor and Director of Football, Schaefer enhances team structure and advises on national team development. He aims to strengthen technical direction across all levels of Ghana football.