Ghana will play rivals, Nigeria in the opening group game after both nations were drawn in the same group as the Black Satellites look to mount a defence for the African U-20 Championship in March.

The Black Satellites will also play Cameroon and Gambia all in Group B following Tuesday's draw of eight teams to participate at the Championship to be staged in Libya.

The clash with Nigeria is scheduled for March 19 to be followed by games against Gambia, three days later and the final group match with Cameroon on March 25. All three games would be honoured in Benghazi, one of the two host cities for the Championship.

For Ghana, the success of 2009 still lingers - after being crowned African and World Champions - as team coach, Orlando Wellington aims to reach such heights with his new side.

“It’s a big challenge for me and the players – we have to work very hard to go to the World Cup. It’s not easy but financially and physically we are prepared,” the Black Satellites coach said.

Hosts Libya are in Group A alongside Mali, Egypt and Lesotho as the tournament takes place from 18 March to 1 April and the semi finalists at the African Youth Championship will fill the four places allocated to the continent at the 2011 World Youth Championships in Colombia in July.

Ghana are also defending World champions.