Winfried Schäfer, Technical Advisor of the Black Stars
Winfried Schäfer, the newly-appointed Technical Advisor of the Black Stars, has enjoyed a long and eventful coaching career, winning multiple titles over two decades.
However, his journey has not been without controversy, and one of the most bizarre incidents of his career occurred during the 2002 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
According to the Guardian, a UK-based newspaper, ahead of Cameroon’s semifinal clash against Mali, Schäfer and his goalkeeping coach, Thomas N’Kono, were arrested by police for allegedly placing a magic charm on the pitch. The shocking event stirred widespread debate about superstition in African football.
Despite the controversy, Cameroon triumphed over Mali with a commanding 3-0 victory, thanks to a Salomon Olembe brace and a goal from Marc-Vivien Foé. The win secured their place in the final against Senegal.
Schäfer was on the bench for the final, leading Cameroon to a dramatic victory. After a goalless draw in regulation and extra time, the Indomitable Lions edged Senegal 3-2 in a penalty shootout, successfully defending their AFCON title from 2000.
This triumph made Cameroon the first team to retain the AFCON trophy since Ghana achieved the feat in 1965—an interesting link, as Schäfer now takes on a key role with the Ghanaian national team.
The incident remains one of the most controversial moments in AFCON history, further highlighting the deep-rooted belief in superstition within football.
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