GFA Technical Director Winfried Schaefer has said he took on the Ghana Football Association (GFA) role to help revive Ghana football from crisis and restore the Black Stars’ international reputation.
Speaking in an exclusive interview with Sächsische Zeitung, monitored by AfricaSoccer.com, the experienced German football manager revealed that his decision was driven by the urgency to rescue Ghanaian football from its ongoing decline.
At 75, Schaefer brings decades of football coaching and technical leadership experience to a national setup struggling with poor results and internal disunity.
“The team had missed the Africa Cup—something considered a catastrophe in Ghana,” Schaefer said. “There was unrest in the squad, World Cup qualification wasn’t going well, and the president of the federation asked me to come in and bring some structure.”
Ghana’s failure to qualify for the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) and its disappointing start to the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers have highlighted deep-rooted challenges in the country’s football system. Schaefer’s mission is to guide Ghana football out of this turbulent phase through technical reforms and structural changes.
Partnering with Black Stars head coach Otto Addo, Schaefer is focused on building team chemistry, laying the foundation for long-term football development in Ghana, and bringing back the country’s dominance in African football.
“There’s still a lot of work to do. The real challenge is to implement sustainable football projects within Ghana,” he said. “I’m still looking for international partners who can support us. But I’m optimistic.”
Schaefer, known for leading Cameroon to the 2002 AFCON title and revolutionising Jamaican football, now takes on a broader technical leadership role. His current work centres on football infrastructure, player development, and systemic transformation—not just short-term victories.
“It’s not about being a guru,” he said. “But I’ve been around long enough to know what works in African football.”
As Director of Football for the Ghana Football Association, Schaefer is tasked with revamping national team structures, guiding technical development, and bringing unity to a fragmented football ecosystem. His goal: to build a resilient and competitive future for Ghana football and the Black Stars.
