Ghana U-20 head coach Maxwell Konadu says the Black Satellites are eager to begin their 2026 WAFU B U-20 Championship campaign with a strong performance against defending champions Nigeria on Monday.
The much-anticipated Group B encounter at the Lycée Scientifique Stadium in Yamoussoukro, Côte d’Ivoire, will reignite one of West Africa’s biggest football rivalries, with Ghana also seeking revenge for the 2-1 defeat they suffered to the Flying Eagles in the final of the last edition in Lomé, Togo.
Konadu expressed satisfaction with his team’s preparations, revealing that several friendly matches have helped get the squad ready for the tournament.
“I think we’ve prepared enough. The boys are ready. We played a couple of friendly games before coming here, and I think the boys are ready for the assignment,” he said.
The former Black Stars assistant coach admitted Ghana had been dealt a blow after a key defensive midfielder was ruled out through injury before the team travelled to Côte d’Ivoire. However, he remains confident the squad has enough quality and depth to overcome the setback.
Despite Nigeria arriving as defending champions, Konadu believes the two sides are evenly matched and expects another fiercely contested battle.
“We are game ready. We pose the same threat to our Nigerian brothers. Matches between these two nations are always top-liners,” he added.
After facing Nigeria, the Black Satellites will take on Burkina Faso and Togo in the remaining Group B fixtures as they chase a place in the knockout stage and qualification for the 2027 CAF U-20 Africa Cup of Nations, which Ghana will host.
By: Bernard Mensah
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