FC Samartex General Manager Edmund Ackah has raised concerns about Desmond Ofei’s suitability to lead Ghana’s U-23 national team, the Black Meteors, questioning his involvement in the domestic league and his commitment to promoting locally based players.
Ofei was appointed head coach of the Black Meteors after being relieved of his duties as an assistant coach of the senior national team, the Black Stars. He has been tasked with guiding the U-23 side through the Olympic Games qualification campaign as Ghana seek a return to the global sporting event.
However, Ackah believes questions remain about the coach’s knowledge of players competing in the Ghana Premier League and his willingness to give local talents opportunities at the national level.
Speaking in an interview with Asempa FM, the Samartex administrator expressed surprise at Ofei’s appointment, claiming he had not seen the coach attending matches in the domestic top flight.
“I have never seen Desmond Ofei at a Ghana Premier League match, yet he’s being backed to lead the U-23s [Black Meteors]. He showed little faith in local players at the U-20 level [Black Satellites],” Ackah told Asempa FM.
His comments have brought renewed attention to the debate over player selection for Ghana’s youth national teams, particularly the balance between locally based footballers and those playing abroad.
Ackah also questioned whether Ghanaian football authorities were learning from previous decisions concerning the development and selection of young players.
“Must we keep recycling the same mistakes while our local talents suffer?” he added.
The FC Samartex general manager’s criticism centres on the importance of regularly monitoring the Ghana Premier League to identify promising players who could contribute to the national teams.
He believes coaches responsible for youth development must demonstrate a strong understanding of the domestic game and ensure that talented players in the local league receive fair consideration when national team squads are assembled.
The Black Meteors serve as an important pathway for young footballers seeking to progress to the senior national team, the Black Stars. Their performances and player development are therefore considered crucial to Ghana’s long-term football ambitions.
Ackah’s concerns also raise questions about the opportunities available to locally based players under Ofei, especially given the criticism he has directed at the coach’s previous approach during his time with the Black Satellites, Ghana’s U-20 national team.
Meanwhile, the Black Meteors are preparing to face Libya in the second round of the Olympic Games qualifiers as they pursue qualification for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.
Ghana have not participated in the men’s Olympic football tournament since the 2004 Games in Athens, Greece, making the current qualification campaign an important opportunity for the country to return to the competition.
Ofei will now be expected to prepare a competitive squad capable of overcoming Libya while addressing concerns about player selection and the involvement of domestic-based talents.
Ackah’s remarks add to the scrutiny surrounding the appointment, with the coach’s decisions and the Black Meteors’ performances likely to shape the wider assessment of his leadership as the qualification campaign progresses.
