Black Stars technical advisor Winfried Schaefer has vowed to keep a close eye on the Ghana Premier League (GPL) as part of his mission to inspire clubs and unearth talent from the domestic game.
The German coach made the pledge during a visit to Hearts of Oak’s training session ahead of their opening-day goalless draw with league debutants Hohoe United at the Accra Sports Stadium on Friday night.
Speaking to the Ghana FA’s official website, Schaefer emphasized the need to provide equal opportunities for locally based players.
“We have many top players in Europe, but our goalkeeper is local and was fantastic on Monday. I want to visit the clubs and use him as a role model. All players have a chance to play for the Black Stars,” he said.
Schaefer added that he would be attending league matches regularly, not only to scout potential national team players but also to motivate footballers and fans alike.
“It’s great motivation for everyone. I’ll be watching the games too. Most African players who play in Europe come from Ghana, and we must be the heart of African football again,” he noted.
The 2025/26 GPL season officially kicked off on Friday, with matches continuing across the country this weekend on September 13 and 14.
Schaefer, who was appointed in January 2025, serves as the Black Stars’ Technical Advisor, with a mandate to provide technical guidance, support football development in Ghana, and collaborate with the Technical Directorate on long-term strategies for the Ghana Football Association (GFA).
