Ghana’s national team technical advisor and GFA Director of Football, Winfried Schäfer, has pinpointed the absence of a strong striker as a major concern for the Black Satellites ahead of the 2025 U20 Africa Cup of Nations.
Speaking after Ghana’s U20 team played a goalless draw against Hearts of Oak, Schäfer stressed the need for a clinical number nine to improve the squad’s attacking threat.
“The match was good, but in the first half, nobody took a shot at goal… 70% contact, but no final pass. We need a strong number nine—someone who can keep the ball and attack crosses,” Schäfer said.
The Black Satellites have been drawn into Group A, where they will face tournament hosts Côte d’Ivoire, DR Congo, Tanzania, and a yet-to-be-confirmed Central African team.
Beyond the youth squad, Schäfer also shared his views on Ghana’s chances of qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, underlining the need for tactical improvements at all levels of the national team.
