Head coach of Ghana’s U20 national team, Desmond Ofei, says his side is fully prepared for their opening match against Nigeria in the 2025 WAFU Zone B U20 Championship. The much-anticipated encounter takes place on Thursday, July 10 at the Ghanaman Soccer Centre of Excellence in Prampram, with kick-off scheduled for 15:00 GMT.

Speaking at the pre-match press conference, Ofei emphasized the importance of the fixture, describing it as a key moment that will shape the rest of the tournament for the Black Satellites. “The first game against Nigeria will set the tone of how this tournament will go,” he said. “But we are ready. We know how good they are and we know how incredibly hungry they are as a squad. But we will be ready for them on Thursday.”

The match pits two of West Africa’s football powerhouses against each other in a high-stakes Group A opener. With only three teams in the group — Ghana, Nigeria, and Benin — every result is crucial in the quest to secure a semi-final spot.

Coach Ofei, who has been building a competitive and disciplined team in recent months, is confident in the ability of his players to rise to the occasion, especially with home advantage. He has called on Ghanaians to rally behind the team as they look to begin the campaign on a high note.

The Black Satellites will be seeking revenge after losing to Nigeria in the final of the last edition held in Togo. Thursday’s match offers them a perfect opportunity to settle scores and make a strong statement in front of their home supporters.

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