U-20 AFCON 2025: Desmond Ofei ready ‘to do everything’ to seal Black Satellites qualification

Ghana U-20 head coach Desmond Ofei has spoken about his determination to ensure the Black Satellites play at the next edition of the Africa Cup of Nations.

Since winning the trophy at that level in 2021, Ghana has not been on the continental stage as they missed out on the last edition.

The Black Satellites drew against Niger (1-1) and Cote d’Ivoire (1-1) and lost to Burkina Faso (2-0), failing to make it out of the group in Abidjan last year.

Ofei is looking to get the new crop of players back on the continental stage as they travel to Togo for this year’s WAFU B tournament.

“As a coach in my position, I will do everything I can to prepare this team to qualify for the AFCON which is in January in Ivory Coast. It will not only mean a lot for me but for the nation as well,” he said in an interview with SuperSport.

The 36-year-old led Ghana to win gold at the 2023 African Games which was held in Accra. He believes it’s high time the country got back to winning trophies.

“I think we are starving a bit in terms of success. It hasn’t been easy with our U-17, our Black Princesses just came back from Colombia and couldn’t make it out from the group stage,” he continued.

“It’s time for us to put the nation back on the map which Basigi did by qualifying to the World Cup and we want to do the same. What it will mean is helping my country do well on the international stage.”

The Black Satellites face Benin in their opening game on Thursday, October 17 before fixtures against Niger and Togo.

As part of their preparations, Ofei’s side were in Europe for a tour where they faced Switzerland and Germany, losing both games.