By: Belinda Nketia
The Ghana Football Association has expanded the Black Stars’ technical team with five new appointments as preparations intensify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The additions are aimed at strengthening coaching support, performance analysis, medical care and player conditioning ahead of Ghana’s World Cup qualifiers and the tournament in North America.
French coach Alain Ravera has been appointed assistant coach. He brings international experience from previous roles with the Guinea national team and French club AS Monaco.
He will work alongside Black Queens head coach Kim Lars Björkegren, who has also been named assistant coach. Björkegren recently guided the Black Queens to a bronze medal at the 2025 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations and secured qualification for the 2026 WAFCON.l which comes of in March 2026.
To improve scouting, match preparation and performance analysis, the GFA has appointed Spanish coach José Daniel Martínez Alfonso. He currently works as an assistant coach and video analyst with Major League Soccer side Atlanta United.
The technical setup has also been strengthened with the appointment of Winfried Schäfer as Technical Advisor. The experienced German coach will provide strategic guidance, while Belgian psychologist Kris Perquy has been added to support players’ mental preparation. Belgian analyst Gregory De Grauwe has also joined the team as a Video Analyst.
The medical department sees the return of physiotherapist Carlos Lozano Romero, who worked with the Black Stars during the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. His reappointment is expected to ensure continuity within the team’s medical setup.
Completing the new additions is British-born Ghanaian performance specialist Dwayne Peasah Paa Kwesi, who has been named Performance Coach. He will oversee physical conditioning, player optimisation and overall performance management during the World Cup campaign.
The appointments are specific to the 2026 World Cup and follow the GFA’s practice of expanding the technical team ahead of major tournaments. All new staff will work with the existing technical team led by head coach Otto Addo as Ghana steps up preparations for the global showpiece to be hosted by Canada, Mexico and the United States.
