“Losing key players was a big blow” – Black Satellites coach after final loss to Nigeria

Black Satellites coach Desmond Ofei pointed to the absence of several key players as a decisive factor in Ghana’s 2-1 defeat to Nigeria in the U-20 WAFU Zone B Championship final.

The Flying Eagles secured the win on Wednesday night with two goals from Kparobo Arierhi. Ghana’s Jerry Afriyie pulled one back in the 75th minute, marking his fifth goal of the tournament, but it wasn’t enough to turn the tide.

Following the game, Ofei expressed pride in his team’s resilience and their achievement in qualifying for the U-20 AFCON, despite the obstacles they faced. Reflecting on the challenges, he noted that the absence of nine key players from the squad that won gold at the 2023 All-African Games in March was a significant loss.

“Losing nine players who played pivotal roles in our African Games success was tough. However, it gave us an opportunity to develop a new group of talented players, and these boys have really risen to the occasion,” Ofei said.

“They fully deserve this AFCON qualification,” he added, highlighting the team’s dedication.

Although Ghana missed out on the championship title, they secured their place in the 2025 U-20 Africa Cup of Nations tournament, keeping hopes high for future success.