Ghana’s transformation into a set-piece powerhouse during the 2026 World Cup qualifiers didn’t come from any hidden magic — it was the product of pure preparation, teamwork, and adaptability, according to set-piece coach and video analyst Gregory De Grauwe.

The Belgian tactician, who joined the Black Stars setup in March 2025 upon the recommendation of assistant coach Desmond Ofei, has been quietly instrumental in Ghana’s dead-ball dominance under head coach Otto Addo.

Speaking to Footy-Africa, De Grauwe emphasized that Ghana’s set-piece success was driven by flexibility and collective execution rather than rigid systems.

> “It depends a little on what the opponent was doing, so we adapted our style,” he explained. “Sometimes, like against the Central African Republic, we targeted the second zone and overloaded it with a couple of players. It’s all about surprising the opponent and being unpredictable.”

De Grauwe praised the shared effort within the squad, crediting both the precision of the deliveries and the determination of the finishers.

> “I can’t single anyone out because Jordan Ayew and Mohammed Kudus deliver great balls — they both have assists. Alexander Djiku scored, Mohammed Salisu scored — it’s everyone. The more variations and tall options we have, the tougher we are to defend.”

Since his arrival, De Grauwe has focused on refining rather than reinventing Ghana’s approach.

> “I didn’t come to change everything; I didn’t even know what was done before. I just shared ideas with Otto, Desmond, and the rest of the staff. We worked together, put in the effort, and now it’s paying off. There’s no secret formula — just dedication and player quality.”

Ghana’s disciplined approach bore fruit as the Black Stars secured World Cup qualification with a 1–0 win over Comoros, topping Group I with 25 points from 10 matches.

The team will discover their World Cup 2026 group opponents on December 5, 2025, when the official draw takes place in Washington, D.C.