Head coach of the Black Satellites, Desmond Ofei, has lauded his players for their commitment and spirited performance during the 2025 U-20 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournament held in Egypt.

Despite Ghana’s elimination at the quarter-final stage after a dramatic 2-2 draw and a subsequent penalty shootout defeat to host nation Egypt, Coach Ofei expressed pride in the team’s overall showing.

Upon the team’s return to Accra at the Kotoka International Airport, the coach said, “I want to thank the players for their dedication and commitment throughout the competition. 

They gave their all and represented Ghana with all their heart. I also appreciate the hard work of my technical team and the immense support from management.”

Ghana’s hopes of qualifying for the U-20 World Cup in Chile were dashed with the quarter-final exit, as only the top four teams earned tickets to the global tournament.

Despite the setback, Coach Ofei remained positive, highlighting the future potential of the squad.

Also commending the team was the leader of the delegation and Chairman of the Black Satellites Management Committee, Alhaji Abu Hassan ‘Rhyzo’. He praised the players for their discipline and determination, insisting that they bowed out of the tournament with pride.

“The boys played their hearts out and made us proud,” he said. “Although we didn’t go all the way, the performance showed promise for the future. We wish all of them the very best in their careers moving forward.”

The team is expected to regroup in the coming months to build on their experiences as they prepare for upcoming competitions.