By Dayo Awoniyi
Ghana U20 head coach Desmond Ofei has highlighted the importance of Thursday’s WAFU Zone B U20 Championship opener against Nigeria, describing the clash as crucial to the Black Satellites’ campaign.
Speaking at a pre-match press conference, Ofei acknowledged the strength of the Flying Eagles while expressing confidence in his team’s readiness for the high-stakes Group A encounter.
“The first game against Nigeria will set the tone for how this tournament will go,” Ofei said.
“We are fully aware of their quality and how hungry they are, but we are equally ready and focused.”
The match not only reignites a fierce West African rivalry but also holds added significance in a tightly contested group that includes Benin.
Ghana is aiming to capitalize on home advantage as they seek a strong start on their road to continental redemption.
“We’ve prepared well, and we’re calling on Ghanaians to come out and support the boys,” Ofei added. “The players are motivated, and we’re determined to start strong.”
Ghana will be looking to avenge their loss to Nigeria in the final of the previous edition and are hoping for a successful campaign that could mark a return to form on the continental stage.
Samuel Ahmadu is a distinguished multimedia journalist and women's football expert with over 15 years of experience in the industry. He began his career at Goal.com in February 2014, where he served as an African women's football correspondent for nearly eight years. During his tenure at Goal.com, Samuel covered major events such as three Women's Africa Cup of Nations (2016, 2018, 2022) and the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup in Canada plus 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia. His work at Goal.com earned him widespread acclaim, particularly for his in-depth profiles of African football stars, notably Asisat Oshoala, whose rise he documented from her early years to her breakthrough at the FIFA U20 Women's World Cup in 2014. Prior to his role at Goal.com, Samuel freelanced for various print and broadcast media outlets in Nigeria, including Graphics Newspaper, Radio Nigeria, Grace FM, and Savid Newspaper. His extensive experience and expertise led to his appointment to the Nigeria Football Federation's Standing Committee on Women's Football Development from 2016 to 2018. Since February 2018, Samuel has been the Social Media Manager for Nigeria's women's national teams.In 2019, Samuel joined the Confederation of African Football (CAF) as a women's football content contributor and was promoted to Women's Football Editor in 2021. His contributions to women's football continued as he worked as a Media Consultant for Content Creation and Editorials at the 2022 CAF Women's Champions League. Currently, Samuel also serves as the spokesman for the Nigeria Women Football League, further solidifying his influence and dedication to the growth of women's football in Africa.
