Following the draw held on Thursday, February 13, 2025, for the U-20 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), Ghana’s U-20 head coach, Desmond Ofei, expressed optimism about the upcoming tournament. He emphasized the increasing investments by various teams in international players, highlighting the tournament’s potential to be one of the most exciting in U-20 AFCON history. Ofei stated, “We have to set the standards and we need to be ready to compete for the win and qualification.”

The draw placed Ghana in Group A alongside host nation Côte d’Ivoire, Tanzania, DR Congo, and a yet-to-be-named country from the UNIFFAC zone. Reflecting on the group allocation, Coach Ofei remarked, “We are happy that we’re not in Group B,” acknowledging the challenges posed by other groups.

The 2025 U-20 AFCON is scheduled to take place from April 26 to May 18 in Côte d’Ivoire. The tournament will feature 13 teams competing for the continental title and four qualification spots for the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Chile later this year. Ghana, a four-time U-20 AFCON winner, aims to add another title to their collection as they face strong competition in their group.

In preparation for the tournament, Coach Ofei has invited 35 players to begin camping, marking the initial phase of their training. This camp is part of a revamped scouting strategy aimed at assembling a competitive squad for the 2025 AFCON.

As the tournament approaches, the Black Satellites are focused on rigorous preparations to ensure they are ready to compete at the highest level. With Coach Ofei’s leadership and the team’s dedication, Ghana is poised to make a significant impact in the upcoming U-20 AFCON.