Ghana’s Black Satellites have completed their preparations for the 2026 WAFU B U-20 Championship with a confidence-boosting 2-1 victory over Semper Fi in a friendly match played at the Accra Sports Stadium on Thursday, July 23, 2026.
The national U-20 team showed great character after falling behind in the first half, producing an improved performance after the break to score twice and secure victory in their final warm-up game before travelling to Côte d’Ivoire.
Head coach Maxwell Konadu used the match as an opportunity to assess his players ahead of the regional tournament.
The friendly allowed the technical team to evaluate the team’s readiness, improve match fitness and fine-tune tactical plans before the competition begins.
After a difficult opening period, the Black Satellites responded strongly in the second half, displaying better attacking play and determination to complete the comeback.
The result provided a timely boost for the team as they prepare for a challenging campaign against some of the best youth teams in the sub-region.
The match also attracted the attention of Ghana Football Association (GFA) President Kurt Edwin Simeon-Okraku, who was present at the Accra Sports Stadium to support the team.
After the final whistle, the GFA President addressed the players and technical team, encouraging them to remain focused and represent Ghana with pride during the tournament.
He urged the young players to take advantage of the opportunity and fight for success on the international stage.
Following the victory, the Black Satellites are set to depart for Yamoussoukro, Côte d’Ivoire, on Friday to begin their WAFU B U-20 Championship campaign scheduled for July 26 to August 9, 2026.
Ghana has been placed in Group B alongside West African rivals Nigeria, Burkina Faso and Togo. The group is considered one of the toughest sections of the competition, with all four teams expected to compete strongly for qualification.
The tournament is particularly important for Ghana because it serves as the qualification pathway for the 2027 TotalEnergies CAF U-20 Africa Cup of Nations, which will be hosted by Ghana.
The Black Satellites, who have a proud history in youth football including winning the FIFA U-20 World Cup in 2009, will be hoping to deliver another impressive performance and secure a place at the continental championship.
