Ghana U20 head coach Desmond Ofei has declared his squad ready both tactically and mentally for the upcoming TotalEnergies U-20 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt, urging fans to look forward to a confident and intelligent brand of football from his team.
With the tournament set to kick off in early May, the Black Satellites have wrapped up a two-phase preparation programme that included domestic scouting and international competition.
Ofei, who has overseen the team’s build-up from day one, says the groundwork has been deliberately structured to blend local discovery with high-level match exposure.
“We started by evaluating a large pool of home-based talents,” Ofei told journalists. “It was a five-week programme that allowed us to see the breadth of potential we have within our domestic system.”
From there, Ghana’s U20s travelled to Morocco to participate in a competitive three-nation invitational tournament.
The event provided valuable minutes for emerging players and helped the technical team assess combinations and game scenarios ahead of the continental competition.
“That tournament in Morocco gave us a clearer picture of our core group,” Ofei noted. “From there, it became about tactical fine-tuning and building strong on-field chemistry.”
Drawn into a challenging Group C alongside defending champions Senegal, DR Congo, and the Central African Republic, Ghana’s task is considerable. But Ofei believes his players are up to it.
“Supporters can expect a team that plays with bravery, intelligence, and intent,” he stated confidently. “We aim to control matches in every phase — both offensively and defensively.
Our playing identity is based on fluid, expressive football, grounded in solid tactical principles.”
The stakes in this year’s edition are high. Not only will continental glory be contested, but a place at the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Chile is also up for grabs.
The top four finishers from the tournament will qualify, and Ghana—winners of the global title in 2009—have their eyes firmly set on a return to that world stage.
Ofei, however, remains grounded in his approach.
“Our immediate goal is to get out of the group stage,” he said. “We’ll take it game by game. The ambition is to win, yes—but that only happens if we stay consistent and focused on our process.”
Ghana’s campaign begins against DR Congo on May 2 in Suez, and the coach is urging supporters to rally behind the team as they look to write the next chapter in the nation’s storied youth football legacy.
