Black Satellites Coach Desmond Ofei Confident Ahead of U20 AFCON in Egypt
Black Satellites head coach Desmond Ofei has expressed strong optimism about Ghana’s chances at the upcoming U20 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) set to kick off in Egypt on April 27, 2025. The tournament, initially scheduled to be hosted by Ivory Coast, was relocated to Egypt after the Ivorians pulled out as hosts.
Ghana’s U20 national team has been drawn into a competitive Group C alongside defending champions Senegal, DR Congo, and the Central African Republic. The Black Satellites will begin their campaign on May 2 with a crucial opener against DR Congo, followed by a blockbuster clash against Senegal on May 5. The group stage will conclude with a fixture against the Central African Republic on May 8.
In preparation for the tournament, the team has been training in Accra and at the GFA Technical Centre in Prampram. They also participated in a mini-tournament in Morocco, which played a key role in finalizing the 21-man squad for the AFCON.
Coach Desmond Ofei, in an interview with 3Sports, shed light on the rigorous selection process that led to the current squad. “It’s been quite tough, but luckily we started with the local boys. We assessed over 78 players — a mix from the Premier League and Division One, plus around 25 players from lower divisions and football academies,” he revealed.
Ofei added that players who participated in earlier tournaments, including the recent trip to Togo, were also given a chance to fight for a place. “In the end, we tried to balance the squad. It’s almost 50/50 — 50 percent from the current local leagues and a few from Division Two, while others are returnees from international tournaments,” he noted.
The Black Satellites are heading into the U20 AFCON on the back of a strong run, having won gold at the 2023 African Games and finishing as runners-up in the WAFU B U20 tournament. These achievements have strengthened Coach Ofei’s belief in his squad’s ability to make an impact in Egypt.
“We cannot get it 100% right all the time, but I’m pretty confident with the current setup right now. We’re going to push and see how far we get,” he stated.
Ghana will be aiming to reach at least the semi-finals, which would earn them a place at the FIFA U20 World Cup — a stage they haven’t graced since 2015. With a mix of local talent and international experience, the Black Satellites are poised to make a strong statement in Egypt.