Former Ghana captain Asamoah Gyan has been appointed Black Stars Clubs and Player Relations Manager as the Ghana Football Association (GFA) introduces a series of changes to its national teams structure.
The changes, announced just days before Ghana’s 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying clash with Côte d’Ivoire, are aimed at strengthening the management, technical coordination and player relations across the various national teams.
Gyan, Ghana’s all-time leading scorer with 51 international goals, returns to the Black Stars setup in a strategic role focused on improving the relationship between the senior national team, players and their respective clubs.
The former striker captained Ghana at five Africa Cup of Nations tournaments and at the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil.
With six goals to his name, Asamoah Gyan is Africa’s highest scoring player in the history of the FIFA World Cup. He scored in the 2006, 2010 and 2014 editions of the tournament.
His extensive experience with the national team and longstanding relationship with Ghanaian players are expected to support his new responsibilities.
As Clubs and Player Relations Manager, Gyan will serve as a link between the technical team, players and their clubs, helping to facilitate communication on player call-ups, welfare and other matters affecting the playing body. He will also provide mentorship and support to the squad.
The GFA’s restructuring also sees changes to the technical teams of the senior and youth national sides, with several former Black Stars players taking up new responsibilities.
Attram Joins Black Stars Technical Team
Former Ghana international Godwin Attram has been appointed Assistant Coach of the Black Stars, replacing Desmond Ofei, who will now solely focus on his role as head coach of the Black Meteors.
Ofei had combined his Black Stars responsibilities with his work across Ghana’s youth national teams, including the Black Satellites and Black Meteors.
His reassignment allows him to focus exclusively on the U23 side as they prepare for the next Olympic Games qualifying campaign.
Attram, a former midfielder and current head coach of Division One side Attram De Visser, brings both playing and coaching experience to the senior national team. He previously served as head coach of Great Olympics and has also worked within Ghana’s youth national team structures.
The GFA says his experience in player development and his modern approach to the game will complement head coach Carlos Queiroz and the technical team as Ghana prepares for the 2027 AFCON qualifiers and other international assignments.
Paintsil Moves to Black Satellites
Former Black Stars defender John Paintsil has also been moved from the senior national team setup to the Black Satellites, where he will serve as Assistant Coach.
Paintsil, who enjoyed a distinguished playing career with clubs including Fulham, Leicester City and West Ham United, had been part of the Black Stars technical staff.
His new assignment will see him work with head coach Maxwell Konadu and the U20 technical team as Ghana begins preparations for next year’s Africa U-20 Cup of Nations.
The GFA believes Paintsil’s international experience and leadership qualities will contribute to the development of the country’s emerging players while also providing him with further coaching experience.
Shardow Takes Charge of Diaspora Strategy
Former Black Stars Team Manager Ameenu Shardow has meanwhile been appointed Head of the GFA’s Strategic Diaspora Program.
Shardow’s new role will focus on strengthening the Association’s engagement with Ghanaian players born or raised abroad, while building closer relationships with diaspora clubs, academies and football communities.
He will work with the Technical Directorate, Ghanaian diplomatic missions, parents of diaspora-based players, scouts and the National Teams Department to improve the identification and integration of eligible players into Ghana’s national teams.
The appointment forms part of a broader effort by the GFA to streamline its approach to diaspora talent and create stronger pathways for players with Ghanaian heritage.
The Association is yet to announce a replacement for Shardow as Black Stars Team Manager, with a new appointment expected soon.
The changes come at a significant moment for the Black Stars, with Ghana preparing to face Côte d’Ivoire in the 2027 AFCON qualifiers.
The restructuring therefore gives the senior national team a revised support structure while also redistributing responsibilities across Ghana’s youth and senior setups.
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