Ghana U-23 assistant coach Yaw Preko has expressed confidence in the Black Meteors' readiness for their 2027 CAF U-23 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying encounter against Libya in Benghazi on Wednesday, November 11, 2026.
In an interview with the Football Association media team, the former Ghana international, who is an Olympic medalist, discussed the team's preparations, squad composition, unity, injury situation and ambitions as they begin their campaign to secure qualification for the U-23 AFCON and the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.
Preko acknowledged the challenges encountered during preparations but maintained that the technical team has assembled a competitive group capable of delivering positive results. He also highlighted the importance of ending Ghana's 24-year absence from Olympic men's football, insisting that the players are determined to make the nation proud. Kick-off is scheduled for 7pm local time (5pm Ghana time).
Below are excerpts from the interview with GFA Media.
Q: Can you walk us through the team's preparations so far?
Yaw Preko: I think we started preparations a couple of weeks ago in Prampram. As usual, it has been a bit challenging because of the ongoing league, but that is part of the job. As you rightly mentioned, 2028 will mark 24 years since Ghana last appeared at the Olympic Games, and we are determined to work hard to achieve something special for our people. The previous technical team, led by Ibrahim Tanko, Godwin Attram and the late Michael Osei, did their best. They came very close to qualification but unfortunately fell short. The baton has now been handed to us, and we believe we have what it takes to build on their work. This is the beginning of our journey. We have also done our homework on our opponents. We have brought in several quality home-based players and blended them with foreign-based talents. I strongly believe we have the quality to achieve something positive.
Q: How would you describe the team spirit and relationship between the players
Yaw Preko: Our objective is to see Ghana's Olympic team return to the Games after 24 years. The last appearance was in 2004, so everything comes down to having a common purpose and working towards our collective goal. Having been involved with the national teams for a long time, I understand that individual egos must not come into play. We are fortunate to have a coach in Desmond Ofei, who is blending European coaching principles with the African approach to the game. Our responsibility is to provide the necessary support and work together to achieve our target. It has not been an entirely smooth journey, and we experienced a few challenges at the beginning of camp. However, we believe this team can upset any opponent on a good day. We have a talented group of young players, with a significant number coming from the domestic league. We also have eight foreign-based players who have joined the squad to strengthen our options.
Q: Squad selection is always a difficult process. How satisfied are you with the players selected?
Yaw Preko: In Ghana, regardless of the decisions you make regarding squad selection, some people will be happy while others will be disappointed. We have a pool of talented players, but talent alone is not enough to win games. You also need character, focus and a bit of luck. Unfortunately, social media has become a major distraction for some young players. You see players with enormous talent, but their attention is sometimes taken away from their football by activities on social media. We believe this is the best group we could assemble at this stage. You cannot select everybody, and you have to choose a number of players to represent the nation. This is a long journey. The Olympic Games are still two years away, and even after this qualifying round, we will have another hurdle to overcome before reaching the AFCON. We need every player, both those currently in camp and those back home, to remain focused and perform at their best. You never know who will help us cross the next hurdle or who will come in later to make a difference. So far, so good. We strongly believe these boys have what it takes to make Ghana proud.
Q: How prepared are the players for Wednesday's encounter?
Yaw Preko: I think we are very ready. The arrival of the foreign-based players has also brought additional energy into the team. You could see it during training. There was hardly any difference between the home-based and foreign-based players. Sometimes, home-based players can feel overshadowed when their foreign-based colleagues arrive, but that has not been the case with this group. The energy and spirit within the entire squad have been encouraging. We were particularly satisfied with what we saw during yesterday's training session. A little more focus and concentration will make us even better. The weather has also been favourable, and we could not have asked for better conditions. We have good accommodation, and our hosts have received us well. Now, all that remains is to step onto the pitch and demonstrate what we can do. The boys look sharp, their concentration is high, and the energy within the group is great.
Q: What should Ghanaian expect from this team?
Yaw Preko: We are cautiously optimistic. We are playing away from home and so you have to show respect to your opponent. There is always pressure when you represent Ghana at any level. The U-23 team is an important stepping stone to the senior national team, the Black Stars, and performing well at this level can improve a player's chances of earning a call-up to the senior side. We are hopeful that the players will rise to the occasion tomorrow. From what we have seen during the few days here, the team spirit has been very encouraging.
Q: How much homework have you done on Libya, and what do you expect from the opposition?
Yaw Preko: Yes, we have watched them and conducted some research into their team. We have studied their style of play and worked on how to approach the game and counter their strengths. They are a very formidable side. Every match presents its own challenges, and we have tried to prepare for the different possibilities. They have probably done their research on us as well, so we will have to wait and see what happens on matchday. It is a two-legged tie and fortunately, we are playing the first leg here in Libya. Football is full of surprises, and we are here to cause an upset.
Q: You have spoken about the team's spirit. How would you assess the level of unity within the camp?
Yaw Preko: The level of unity within this group is amazing. The respect between the home-based and foreign-based players is beautiful, and we hope to translate that into positive performances on the pitch. These are talented young players who are determined to achieve something special for the country. Fortunately, I have experienced the different levels of national team football, having represented Ghana at U-17, U-20 and U-23 levels before progressing to the senior team. However, the Olympic Games are an entirely different experience. The Olympics take you to another level. You may not fully appreciate the magnitude of the competition until you experience it yourself. When I went to Sweden, I realised just how big the Olympics are. The media coverage and organisation demonstrate that it is one of the biggest sporting events in the world, second only to the FIFA World Cup in global stature. Performing well at that level can open incredible opportunities for players and their careers. We also have a great leader in Desmond Ofei, who continues to challenge and push everyone to give their best. The bond within the technical team is excellent, and we are united in our mission. Ultimately, we want every player to become the best version of himself.
Q: Are there any injury concerns ahead of the match?
Yaw Preko: We have a clean bill of health, and there are no injury concerns within the squad. The players are fit, available and ready to do battle for Ghana.
Q: What is your final message to Ghanaians ahead of the match?
Yaw Preko: We know the Black Stars are also preparing for their assignments, and understandably, much of the attention is on the senior national team. However, we want Ghanaians to remember us in their prayers and continue to support this team. We appreciate their backing and want them to believe in what we are building. The players in this squad are not unfamiliar faces. Our home-based players are actively involved with their respective clubs, and we have a group that is hungry to represent the country. All we ask is for Ghanaians to give us the same level of support and encouragement they give to the Black Stars. With their backing, we believe we can overcome this hurdle and make the nation proud.
GFA Communications