Sports and Recreation Ministry Set To Review Black Stars’ Technical Team Appointments – Minister Designate
Minister-designate for Sports and Recreation, Kofi Adams, has announced plans to review the recent appointments made to the Black Stars’ technical team by the Ghana Football Association (GFA).
This decision comes as the national team prepares for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, set to resume in March, following Ghana’s disappointing failure to qualify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) for the first time in two decades under head coach Otto Addo.
The GFA has made several key additions to the technical staff in a bid to strengthen the team.
Among the new appointments is German coach Winfried Schaffer, who will serve as the technical advisor and football director for both the Black Stars and the GFA.
Additionally, Desmond Offei, the head coach of Ghana’s U20 team, has been promoted to assistant coach for the Black Stars, filling the role previously held by German Joseph Laumann.
Mr Offei will work alongside existing assistants John Paintsil and Fatawu Dauda, who will retain their positions under Addo’s leadership.
The team’s revamped technical staff also includes the addition of Kris Perquy as a psychologist and Gregory De Grauwe as a video analyst, reflecting a comprehensive approach to player development and performance analysis.
Despite these changes, Kofi Adams expressed his intention to conduct a thorough reassessment of the GFA’s recent decisions.
In an interview with Sporty FM, he stated,
“We will review the GFA’s new appointments to the Black Stars’ technical team. This will be my first engagement with the GFA. Can we find a more cost-effective option than Winfried Schaffer? Can we negotiate a lower salary, or does his contract allow for a review? We will examine all these aspects.”
Otto Addo, who signed a three-year contract with an option for an additional year, has faced significant criticism following the AFCON qualification failure.
Nevertheless, the GFA’s Executive Council has opted to retain him as head coach, indicating a commitment to stability despite recent setbacks.
Mr Adams’ forthcoming review could lead to substantial changes as the Black Stars gear up for their World Cup qualifying campaign, with fans hopeful for a resurgence in the national team’s fortunes.
