Black Meteors during training
Ghana’s Black Meteors have stepped up preparations for their upcoming U-23 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign, with head coach Desmond Ofei continuing to assess players ahead of the qualifiers.
The first group of players, largely drawn from the Ghana Premier League and Division One League, held another training session at the University of Ghana Stadium on Saturday, August 8, 2026.
The ongoing exercise forms part of the domestic phase of the team’s preparations, as Ofei and his technical team work to identify the best players for the campaign.
Foreign-based U-23 players are expected to join the squad once camping arrangements are finalised.
The qualifiers are set to begin during the September international window, but Ghana have received a bye and will enter the competition at the next stage in October.
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) is yet to announce the pairings and official schedule for the qualifying rounds.
The Black Meteors will be determined to progress through the qualifiers and secure qualification for the U-23 Africa Cup of Nations, which will also serve as the pathway to the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.
With Ghana having missed out on recent Olympic football tournaments, Ofei will be hoping the current preparations lay the groundwork for a successful qualifying campaign and ultimately help restore the Black Meteors to the Olympic stage.
BY Wletsu Ransford