Ghana U20 head coach Desmond Ofei has declared that his team is determined to prove its worth in the 2025 WAFU Zone B U20 Championship, following a disappointing campaign at the Africa U20 Cup of Nations and failure to qualify for the FIFA U20 World Cup.

The Black Satellites open their tournament against Nigeria on Thursday, July 10 at the Ghanaman Soccer Centre of Excellence in Prampram.

Speaking ahead of the crucial Group A encounter, Ofei expressed his belief in the character and drive of his players.

“We also have to show how hungry we are. We still have something to prove, especially after our exit from the AFCON and our inability to qualify for the World Cup,” he said. “We need to prove to the nation that the squad is a very good team.”

Ghana will have the advantage of playing on home soil and the responsibility that comes with hosting a regional tournament. Ofei stressed that the team is not focused on their opponents, but rather on showcasing their quality and determination in every match.

“As a host nation, we don’t care who we meet. Whoever comes our way, we just have to show quality and I’m pretty sure our boys are ready to fight,” he added. The team has been in camp for some weeks, fine-tuning tactics and building team chemistry ahead of what promises to be a fiercely contested competition.

The Black Satellites are grouped with Nigeria and Benin in Group A, meaning every match will be critical in their quest to qualify for the semi-finals and book a ticket to the next Africa U20 Cup of Nations. Thursday’s opener against Nigeria is expected to set the pace for the rest of the tournament.

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