Desmond Ofei Urges Black Satellites to Stay Focused Ahead of Decisive Clash with CAR

Black Satellites head coach, Desmond Ofei, has urged his players to remain focused and avoid complacency as Ghana prepares for a crucial final Group C fixture against the Central African Republic (CAR) in the ongoing 2025 U-20 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournament in Egypt.

The match, scheduled to kick off at 15:00 GMT at the Suez Canal Stadium, will determine Ghana’s fate in the competition, with a draw or win enough to see the team progress to the knockout phase.

Speaking in a pre-match interview, Coach Ofei emphasized the importance of approaching the tie with full commitment and a winning mentality.

“We need a good result to guarantee qualification. This is like a final for us, and we are treating it with the urgency it deserves,” Ofei said.

The Ghana U-20 team currently sits second in Group C with four points, behind leaders Senegal. CAR, meanwhile, has shown resilience and attacking flair in the competition, having scored in every group game so far.

Recognizing the threat posed by the Central African side, Ofei called on his team to maintain tactical discipline and intensity throughout the game.

We can’t afford to be complacent against a hardworking side like CAR. They’ve shown they can hurt teams, so we must remain focused and composed,” he cautioned.

“Our team is prepared. We’ve worked on our plan, and now it’s about delivering on the pitch.”

With qualification on the line, the Black Satellites will look to key players such as Abdul Aziz Issah and Clinton Duodu to provide the spark needed in what promises to be a tense and fiercely contested encounter.