Frederick Acheampong, a member of the Executive Council of the Ghana Football Association (GFA), has defended the decision to strengthen the Black Stars’ backroom staff ahead of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.
The GFA has appointed Winfried Schäfer as technical advisor for the Black Stars, a role he will also hold as the technical director of the Football Association.
In addition, Desmond Offei, the current head coach of the Black Satellites, has been promoted to assistant coach for the Black Stars, replacing German coach Joseph Laumann.
Offei will work alongside assistants John Paintsil and Fatawu Dauda, who will continue their roles under head coach Otto Addo.
Kris Perquy will join the team as the psychologist, and Gregory De Grauwe will take on the position of video analyst.
This reshuffling of the technical staff follows the Black Stars’ failure to qualify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), marking the first time in two decades that Ghana has missed the tournament.
The new additions bring the total number of personnel on the Black Stars’ technical team to 15, with Otto Addo remaining as the head coach.
Acheampong defended the move, pointing out that even top clubs like Al Ahly have expansive backroom staffs.
“I was in Cairo for a CAF program and I was shocked to find out that Al Ahly has over 35 backroom staff,” he told Asempa FM’s Ultimate Sports Show.
“With the backroom staff of the Black Stars, we should support them and I know they will come good,” he added.
Meanwhile, the Minister of Sports and Recreation has suggested that the newly assembled technical team will be subject to a review.
The Black Stars are set to face Chad and Madagascar in the next round of World Cup qualifiers in March.
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