Schäfer Lauds Local Goalkeeper, Vows to Make Ghana the Beating Heart of African Football Again

Black Stars Technical Advisor says home-grown talent deserves equal recognition as Europe-based stars and calls for renewed pride in Ghanaian football.

By Emmanuel Austin Baah On Sep 13, 2025

Black Stars Technical Advisor, Winfried Schäfer, has praised Ghana’s home-based goalkeeper following his outstanding display on Monday, describing him as a symbol of inspiration for aspiring players across the country.

Speaking after the match, Schäfer emphasised that although Ghana boasts several top players plying their trade in Europe, the performance of the locally based shot-stopper stood out as a testament to the depth of talent within the domestic league.

“We have many top players playing in Europe, but our goalkeeper is a local player and he was fantastic on Monday. I want to visit the clubs and use him as a role model. All players, whether home-based or abroad, have a chance to represent the Black Stars,” Schäfer said

He further noted that the goalkeeper’s heroics provide great motivation not only for players in the Ghana Premier League but also for young talents nationwide who dream of donning the national jersey.

Schäfer, a vastly experienced German coach who has previously managed the Cameroon national team to AFCON glory in 2002, also highlighted Ghana’s long-standing contribution to African football.

“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 ensure that Ghana becomes the heart of African football again,” he added.

The remarks come at a crucial time as the Black Stars continue preparations for upcoming international fixtures. Schäfer’s call to bridge the gap between local and foreign-based players is expected to reignite conversations around the role of the domestic league in shaping the future of Ghanaian football.

Author

Emmanuel Austin Baah

My name is Emmanuel Austin Baah, professionally known as “Okocha”. I am a seasoned Ghanaian journalist, broadcaster and football commentator from Senya Bereku in the Central Region. My work reflects a strong commitment to factual reporting, ethical journalism and the continuous promotion of Ghanaian sports.

I am currently pursuing my studies at Cape Coast Technical University, building on a solid foundation of media practice and communication. I previously served as a sports producer at Radio Gold (90.5) and Montie FM (100.1) in Accra, where I was actively involved in editorial planning, programme production, live commentary and in-depth sports analysis.

Presently, I am a Senior Writer at SportsNetGhana.com, a role in which I produce well-researched features, match reports, athlete profiles and analytical pieces. My work consistently highlights emerging talents, captures key sporting developments and contributes to shaping informed sports discourse in Ghana.

Over the course of my career, I have covered numerous major sporting events both locally and internationally. Among these, the highlight remains my coverage of the 2014 FIFA World Cup, a significant milestone that strengthened my expertise in global football reporting and enhanced my understanding of international sports dynamics.

I am widely recognised for my clarity of analysis, engaging commentary style and strong command of both local and global football trends. Beyond the newsroom, I participate in community initiatives aimed at developing young sports journalists and promoting youth engagement in sports.

For professional engagements, media collaborations or enquiries, please contact me on 0265284330.

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