Former Ghana technical advisor Winfried Schafer believes the Black Stars have the quality, determination and mental strength required to defeat Croatia and secure a place in the knockout stage of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, despite no longer being part of the national team’s technical structure.
The experienced German coach may have left his role with the Ghana Football Association earlier this year, but his connection to Ghanaian football remains strong. Schafer continues to follow the team’s progress closely and has remained one of the Black Stars’ biggest supporters during the tournament.
Currently working as a television pundit in Antalya while covering the World Cup, the 76-year-old has been impressed by Ghana’s performances so far and believes the players are capable of producing another memorable result when they face Croatia in their final Group L match.
For Schafer, the journey he shared with Ghana’s football system did not end when his contract expired. Instead, he continues to watch from afar, hoping to see the Black Stars achieve success on football’s biggest stage.
Ghana’s World Cup Campaign Off to a Strong Start
The Black Stars have given their supporters plenty of reasons to be optimistic since arriving in North America for the tournament.
Ghana opened their World Cup campaign with a hard-fought victory over Panama, collecting three valuable points in a match that tested both their patience and resilience. The team showed character throughout the contest before eventually securing the win and beginning the tournament on a positive note.
Coming up against England, one of the favourites to challenge for the trophy, Ghana produced a disciplined and organised display that frustrated the Three Lions throughout the match. Despite England dominating possession for long periods, the Black Stars remained compact, committed and difficult to break down.
The result was a goalless draw that felt almost like a victory for many Ghanaian supporters. Not only did Ghana collect another important point, but they also demonstrated that they could compete with one of the strongest teams in world football.
With four points from their opening two matches, Ghana now find themselves in a strong position heading into the final round of group games. Qualification remains in their own hands, and that is exactly where every team wants to be at this stage of the competition.
Schafer Confident Ghana Can Defeat Croatia
While many observers view the upcoming match against Croatia as evenly balanced, Schafer believes Ghana have enough quality within the squad to emerge victorious.
“The squad has a lot of quality, and if they can unleash it at the right moment, I’m convinced they can beat Croatia,” Schafer said in an interview with Transfermarkt.
His confidence is based on what he has seen from the team throughout the tournament. The former technical advisor believes Ghana have shown excellent organisation, defensive discipline and a strong team spirit, all qualities that are often needed to succeed in major international competitions.
According to Schafer, Ghana’s biggest strength may not be any single player but the collective belief that has developed within the squad.
He feels the players have grown in confidence after their positive results against Panama and England and now understand that they are capable of competing against anyone when they perform at their best. That belief could prove crucial when they step onto the field against Croatia.
Defensive Improvement Has Been Key
One of the biggest reasons behind Ghana’s success so far has been their defensive improvement. The Black Stars entered the tournament with several injury concerns and questions surrounding the squad’s depth. However, the players have responded impressively.
Against England, Ghana defended with discipline and intelligence, limiting one of the world’s most dangerous attacking teams to very few clear opportunities.
Goalkeeper Benjamin Asare has emerged as one of the breakout stars of the tournament, producing confident displays whenever called upon.
The Hearts of Oak shot-stopper has stepped up admirably after first-choice goalkeeper Lawrence Ati-Zigi was ruled out through injury.
His performances have earned widespread praise from supporters and football analysts alike. In front of him, defenders such as Gideon Mensah, Jerome Opoku, Jonas Adjetey and Marvin Senaya have worked tirelessly to keep opponents at bay.
The defensive unit has become increasingly organised with every match. For Schafer, this growing stability at the back provides a solid foundation from which Ghana can build.
The Challenges Ghana Have Overcome
What makes Ghana’s performances even more impressive is the number of challenges the team has faced.
Before the tournament began, the Black Stars suffered several injury setbacks involving key players.
Lawrence Ati-Zigi, Mohammed Salisu, Alexander Djiku and Mohammed Kudus were among the important figures dealing with fitness concerns.
At the same time, Carlos Queiroz had only recently been appointed head coach after replacing Otto Addo. Changing managers shortly before a World Cup is rarely ideal because it leaves limited time for players to adapt to new tactical instructions and coaching methods.
Yet Ghana have managed to overcome those difficulties. Instead of allowing the challenges to become excuses, the squad has responded with determination and professionalism. The team’s performances have reflected a group that is united and fully committed to achieving its goals.
Schafer Reflects on His Departure
Although Schafer remains supportive of the Black Stars, he recently spoke openly about the circumstances surrounding his exit from the Ghana Football Association.
The veteran coach revealed that his contract was terminated shortly after Queiroz’s appointment because the new coaching staff wanted to bring in their own personnel.
Schafer admitted he found the explanation surprising because he did not consider himself part of the senior national team coaching staff.
Instead, he viewed his role as one focused on broader technical development across Ghanaian football.
His responsibilities included scouting local talent, monitoring player development, working with clubs and assisting the federation with technical planning.
Despite his disappointment, Schafer insists he holds no resentment toward anyone involved.
“Of course, it’s a shame when it ends so abruptly because I really enjoyed working with the guys. But sometimes that’s how it is, and you can’t change it now,” he said.
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