Desmond Ofei backs Black Meteors to qualify for 2028 Olympic Games

Ghana U-23 head coach Desmond Ofei has expressed strong confidence that the Black Meteors will qualify for the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, United States.

The coach believes Ghana has the talent and determination needed to end a 24-year absence from the men’s football competition at the Olympic Games.

The Black Meteors are preparing to face Libya in the second round of the African qualifiers as they pursue a return to the competition for the first time since their appearance at Athens 2004.

Ofei shared his optimism after watching Hearts of Oak defeat Basake Holy Stars at the University of Ghana Stadium on Saturday.

“100 per cent that we will qualify for the 2028 Olympic Games,” he said.

The Ghana U-23 coach explained that he believes the timing is right for the country to return to the Olympic football stage, adding that preparations are progressing well and the players are eager to prove their abilities.

“I believe we can qualify because I feel the time is right and it has been way too long and we are preparing well and the boys are hungry to prove to the nation that there is a lot of talent in this country that Ghana is one of the best footballing nations in Africa and it is up to us to show and as I said, the boys are hungry to prove themselves.”

Ofei stressed that the team would approach the qualifying encounter against Libya with determination, insisting that the players would do everything possible to secure the results needed to advance.

“I believe it will be a good show and we will do everything is our power to beat Libya and in March, we will take on any opponent and we will be ready for that,” he added.

Ghana are scheduled to travel to Libya for the first leg of the second-round tie during the November 9–17, 2026 international window, with the return fixture set to take place in Ghana.

The two-legged encounter will be crucial to the Black Meteors’ ambition of progressing through the African qualifying campaign and moving closer to securing a place at the 2028 Olympic Games.

Ghana last participated in the men’s Olympic football tournament at Athens 2004, making qualification for Los Angeles 2028 a major target for the team.

Ofei and his players will now focus on their preparations for the Libya encounter, with the coach confident that the squad has what it takes to bring Ghana back to the Olympic Games after more than two decades away.