Inside Ghana U-20's journey to Egypt: coach Desmond Ofei on talent, trials, and team chemistry

Published on: 21 April 2025

Preparation is key, and head coach Desmond Ofei has left no stone unturned in Ghana's journey to the U-20 AFCON tournament in Egypt from April 27, 2025, to May 18, 2025. 

The journey began with a grassroots talent hunt and evolved into competitive trials that stretched every sinew of the young team.

"We started with a local talent identification program that ran for about five weeks," Ofei informed CAFONLINE.COM

"We threw a wide net around players from domestic competitions."

That exercise helped the coaches identify home-based gems before heading to Morocco for a three-nation tournament, which provided essential competitive exposure.

"That tournament provided a clearer idea of our core team," he continued.

The next phase is all about tactical fine-tuning and consolidating team chemistry."

What sets Ofei apart is that he believes in constructing cohesion, not merely selecting talent. His method mirrors the preparation blueprint of world-conquering clubs - meshing local scouting with elite competition.

Now, with kickoff imminent, the Black Satellites have more than a squad - they possess a team with shared experience, refined tactics, and togetherness.

For Ofei, it's not merely training, but building a family that's ready to go to war.

Ghana is drawn in Group C alongside reigning champions Senegal, DR Congo, and the Central African Republic as they aim to secure a World Cup place at the tournament's end.

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