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Tag: Paintsil

  • GFA unveils new Black Stars technical team as Laumann exits, Paintsil stays

    GFA unveils new Black Stars technical team as Laumann exits, Paintsil stays

    The long-awaited restructuring of the Black Stars’ technical team was finally confirmed late on Tuesday, January 28, 2025.

    Anticipating mixed reactions over their decision to retain Otto Addo, the Ghana Football Association (GFA) quietly unveiled the revamped technical setup.

    Otto Addo remains as head coach, with John Paintsil unexpectedly keeping his role as assistant coach. In a notable addition, experienced German coach Winfried Anton Schäfer, who led Cameroon to an AFCON victory in 2002, has been appointed as a technical advisor.

    Additionally, Desmond Ofei, previously the head coach of the Black Satellites, has been promoted to assistant coach, replacing Joseph Laumann.

    For the first time, the Black Stars have added a sports psychologist to their backroom staff. Kris Perquy, a seasoned professional with 17 years of experience, has been appointed to provide psychological support to the team.

    In a bid to enhance tactical preparation, Belgian video analyst Gregory De Grauwe will lead the Video Analysis Unit. With a UEFA License B Coaching certificate and a Bachelor’s degree in Physical Education, De Grauwe has honed his expertise with clubs like Sporting Lokeren and K. Beerschot VA.

    The team has also bolstered its logistics department by appointing two highly experienced equipment officers—Issah Amadou from Asante Kotoko and Abdul Rahman Alhassan from Hearts of Oak. Together, they bring an impressive 53 years of combined experience in managing football equipment.

    The restructured technical team will have its first major test in March when they guide the Black Stars in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.

  • Otto Addo, Paintsil, and Dauda attend training after surviving a severe accident

    Otto Addo, Paintsil, and Dauda attend training after surviving a severe accident

    Black Stars’ technical team commenced their first training session at the Accra Sports Stadium on Monday, September 2, 2024, in preparation for the upcoming 2025 AFCON qualifiers in Kumasi.

    Head coach Otto Addo, assistant coach John Paintsil, and goalkeeper trainer Fatawu Dadua were involved in a car accident on the Tarkwa-Takoradi road while travelling back to Accra.

    The trio had been returning from the Champion of Champions match between Ghana Premier League winners Samartex FC and FA Cup champions Nsoatreman FC, which took place on Saturday, August 31, 2024.

    The Black Stars’ technical staff were travelling in a Land Cruiser SUV owned by the Ghana Football Association’s vice president, Mark Addo.

    Although they escaped the crash without injuries, they did experience some discomfort. Despite the ordeal, the coaches attended the first training session and effectively oversaw the activities.

    During the session, eight players from the Black Stars and two goalkeepers participated.

    Among them were captain Thomas Partey, Antoine Semenyo, Thomas Brandon Asante, Tariq Lamptey, Jonas Adjetey, Ibrahim Osman, Fatawu Issahaku, and Ebenezer Anang.

    Goalkeepers Fredrick Asare of Asante Kotoko and Jojo Wollacott were also in attendance.

    The team is set to depart for Kumasi on Tuesday, September 3, 2024, to continue preparations for their match against Angola, scheduled for Thursday, September 5, 2024, at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium.

  • Video: See Otto Addo’s first training session with Black Stars ahead of Nigeria, Uganda friendlies

    Video: See Otto Addo’s first training session with Black Stars ahead of Nigeria, Uganda friendlies

    Ghanaian national football team, the Black Stars, commenced their training sessions in Marrakesh, Morocco, ahead of two friendly matches against Nigeria and Uganda scheduled for March 22 and 26, 2024, respectively.

    Led by newly appointed head coach Otto Addo and his coaching staff, the team conducted their initial training session with 16 players participating.

    Notable players included Tariq Lamptey, Andre Ayew, and Jordan Ayew, among others.

    As reported by Football Ghana, the squad size later increased to 23 players with additional arrivals.

    A video shared by the Ghana Football Association showcased the players undergoing various training drills, overseen by the coaching staff.

    Special attention was given to goalkeepers under the guidance of new goalkeeping coach Fatawu Dauda.

    Training activities included ball juggling, rondos, and shooting drills to prepare the players for the upcoming matches.

    These friendly games mark Otto Addo’s return to coaching the Black Stars after the team’s disappointing performance in the 2023 African Cup of Nations.

    Following that tournament, former coach Chris Hughton and his entire coaching staff were replaced by Otto Addo, Joseph Laumann, John Paintsil, and Fatawu Dauda, aiming to revitalize the team’s performance.

  • Paintsil is ‘stuck’ in US, Partey and Inaki recovering – GFA explains players’ absence for Black Stars friendlies

    Paintsil is ‘stuck’ in US, Partey and Inaki recovering – GFA explains players’ absence for Black Stars friendlies

    The Ghana Football Association (GFA) has provided reasons for the absence of Thomas Partey, Inaki Williams, and Joseph Paintsil from the Black Stars squad for the upcoming friendlies.

    Ghana will play against Nigeria and Uganda during the March international break, with matches scheduled for March 22 and March 26, respectively, in Morocco.

    Otto Addo, who has returned for a second spell with the Black Stars, has named a 26-man squad for the friendlies, including four debutants: Frederick Asare, Nathaniel Adjei, Mohammed Diomande, and Ibrahim Osman.

    However, Partey, Inaki, and Paintsil were not included in the squad, and the GFA has clarified their omission from the test games.

    Partey, who plays for Arsenal, requested his exclusion from the squad to focus on regaining full fitness after recent injuries.

    Inaki opted out of the games to rest and recover fully from recent injury setbacks.

    John Paintsil, on the other hand, is having challenges with immigration documentation and hence cannot leave the United States of America.

    “As a result of his move to the United States, there are some further immigration documentation procedures he must embark upon which is why he is unable to travel outside the United States until the process is completed,” the Black Stars wrote.