Technical Advisor of the Black Stars, Winfried Schäfer, has described Ghana’s failure to qualify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) as a major setback for the country’s footballing reputation, calling it nothing short of a “disaster.”
Speaking to German outlet Sächsische, the experienced German tactician did not mince words about the current state of the Ghanaian national team, which endured a disappointing qualification campaign last year. Schäfer noted that the Black Stars are in a state of transition and in need of strategic reforms to regain their competitive edge.
“The team had missed the Africa Cup of Nations – a disaster for Ghana,” Schäfer said. “World Cup qualification wasn’t going well, and the team was full of turmoil.”
Ghana’s AFCON 2025 qualifying campaign was among its worst in recent history. Placed in Group C alongside Sudan, Angola, and Niger, the Black Stars failed to win any of their matches. They picked up just three points—courtesy of three home draws—and finished bottom of the group, resulting in their first absence from the continental tournament since 2004.
The team’s struggles prompted the Ghana Football Association (GFA) to bring Schäfer on board as Technical Advisor to support Otto Addo, who resumed his role as head coach. Schäfer’s appointment was aimed at bringing technical insight, international experience, and renewed structure to the national team setup.
“The association president asked me to support Otto Addo and, as Director of Football in Ghana, to create a spirit of optimism and modernise football,” Schäfer added.
Despite the recent setback, there are signs of a possible turnaround. Under Schäfer’s guidance, the Black Stars have recorded back-to-back wins in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, defeating Madagascar and Chad in their recent fixtures. These victories offer a glimmer of hope as the team works to rebuild its identity and restore national confidence.
The AFCON failure has sparked widespread debate across Ghana, with many calling for a deeper overhaul of football governance, youth development, and infrastructure. Schäfer, who has a decorated coaching résumé including stints with Cameroon and Jamaica, is seen as a key figure in the GFA’s broader effort to revitalize Ghanaian football.
As the Black Stars prepare for more World Cup qualifiers and the long-term goal of re-entering Africa’s elite footballing circle, the emphasis remains on unity, planning, and modern tactics. With Schäfer and Addo leading the charge, Ghanaian fans will hope that the pain of AFCON 2025 exclusion can be transformed into motivation for future triumphs.
For now, the message is clear: failure is acknowledged—but the mission to rebuild is already underway.
