The Ghana Football Association (GFA) has bolstered the Black Stars’ technical bench with five new appointments, as momentum gathers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America.

The move, made in consultation with key stakeholders, is designed to sharpen the team’s competitive edge and deepen expertise across coaching, analysis and player performance ahead of the tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

French coach Alain Ravera and Black Queens coach Kim Lars Björkegren have been named as the first and second assistant coaches respectively.

José Daniel Martínez Alfonso was named as chief scout, Carlos Lozano Romero as Team Physiotherapist and Dwayne Peasah Paa Kwesi performance coach.

"The appointments are strictly for the 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign and are in line with long-standing GFA tradition, which sees the Black Stars’ technical team augmented whenever Ghana qualifies for major tournaments."

"The five experts will work alongside the existing technical team led by Head Coach Otto Addo, as Ghana intensifies preparations for the summer tournament and aims to make a strong impact on the global stage," part of the GFA statement sighted by GhanaWeb Sports read.

About coach Alain Ravera

Born on February 25, 1965, in Nice, France, the 60-year-old comes on board after working with the Guinean national team and AS Monaco as an assistant coach.

Known for his analytical approach and attention to detail, Ravera joins Ghana’s technical team at a time when structure, preparation, and tactical clarity are high priorities.

Away from the spotlight, Ravera has built a reputation as a diligent coach who thrives on preparation—studying opponents, refining training methods, and supporting players to maximize performance.

The 60-year-old Frenchman has also worked with FC Istres, CS Louhans-Cuiseaux, ASVOA Valence, EA Guingamp, FC Gueugnon, Stade Rennais, Le Mans FC, AS Saint-Étienne and Le Mans FC over a career spanning more than three decades.