Ghana U20 head coach Desmond Ofei says his side is fully prepared for their crucial Group A opener against Nigeria in the 2025 WAFU Zone B U20 Championship, set to kick off at 3:00 PM GMT today at the Ghanaman Soccer Centre of Excellence in Prampram.
Addressing the media at the pre-match press conference, Ofei underlined the significance of the opening match, describing it as a key moment that could shape the Black Satellites’ campaign.
“The first game against Nigeria will set the tone for how this tournament will go. But we are ready,” Ofei stated. “We know how good they are and how incredibly hungry they are as a squad—but we will be ready for them.”
The match marks the beginning of what promises to be a fiercely competitive group, which also includes Benin. With only three teams in Group A, every result will be vital in the race for qualification to the knockout stages. Ghana will also be eager to avenge their defeat to Nigeria in the final of the previous edition held in Togo.
Ofei sees the encounter not only as a competitive challenge but also as an opportunity to respond to recent disappointments on the continental stage and reassert Ghana’s dominance at the youth level.
“This is a chance for us to make a strong statement and show how far we’ve come. The players have worked hard, and we believe in what we’ve built. We’re calling on all Ghanaians to support the team as we begin this important journey at home.”
The Black Satellites will hope that home advantage and the backing of their supporters will provide the extra edge needed to get their campaign off to a winning start.