Black Satellites Coach Desmond Ofei Relieved to Avoid Group B in U20 AFCON Draw
Ghana U20 head coach Desmond Ofei has expressed relief that his team was not drawn into Group B for the 2025 U20 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), describing it as a particularly tough group.
The official draw, which took place on Thursday, February 13, placed Ghana in Group A alongside hosts Côte d’Ivoire, Tanzania, DR Congo, and a yet-to-be-named team from the UNIFFAC zone.
With this placement, the Black Satellites managed to avoid some of the continent’s biggest football powerhouses, as Group B consists of Egypt, Morocco, and Nigeria.
Speaking on Joy News Prime Sports, Ofei acknowledged the challenges ahead but remained optimistic about his team’s chances.
“We’re happy that we’re not in Group B because that’s a very interesting group. I feel like we’re in a position where we can control the narrative of this tournament from our perspective,” he stated.
However, he noted a minor setback due to the group structure:
“The only downside is that we’re in a group of five, and we would have to play one extra game compared to the other groups. But in all, I think we’re in a good position to manage the situation and the narrative quite well.”
The 2025 U20 AFCON is set to kick off on April 26, with the grand finale scheduled for May 18. This edition will see 13 teams competing for continental glory and a spot in the FIFA U20 World Cup.
With Ghana aiming to reclaim their dominance in youth football, the Black Satellites will be looking to capitalize on their group placement and make a deep run in the tournament.
