Ahead of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), head coach of Ghana’s U20 team has revamped the scouting strategy to ensure every talent eligible is given an opportunity.
The Black Satellites booked a ticket for the competition in Ivory Coast after finishing as runners up at the WAFU Zone B Championship.
Ofei inherited a team that failed to qualify for the previous edition of the U20 AFCON and has transformed the team winning gold at the 2023 African Games.
In an exclusive interview with 3Sports, Ofei has explained the revamp in the scouting strategy for the U20 AFCON.
“To build a competitive and well-rounded U20 National Team, it is essential to cast a wide scouting net that encompasses domestic leagues, regional competitions, and international talent pools. Our strategy outlines a comprehensive plan to identify and invite top talent for observation,” he said.
In a six-step strategy, Ofei says the best talents from the different divisions in Ghana and even international players will get the chance to be scouted.
“We will invite players from the Ghana Premier League and Division One League for observation in a bid to identify the best young talents. We will also broaden the scouting base by tracking young players from RFA leagues, including those who featured in the qualifiers.”
“The process will also review the squad that won the African Games, giving a platform eligible players who have proven their ability at continental level. Lastly, top talents based outside Ghana will be brought in to create a balanced team that can compete internationally,” he added.
The evaluation criteria for selection will be based on “technical ability, tactical awareness, physical attributes, mentality and character, and potential for growth” according to Ofei.
The key stakeholders in this scouting strategy are the head coach and technical team who are expected to lead the identification and evaluation of talent. Scouts and regional coaches will be responsible for tracking young players globally.
There’ll be partnerships with local clubs and academies to identify emerging talents and ensure smoother transition. Agents, scouts, and overseas club won’t be left out in order to maintain a connection with players abroad.
“By utilizing this multi-faceted approach, we can ensure that the U20 national team is well-equipped with the best available talent, both domestically and abroad, to compete at the highest level,” Ofei concluded.
Ghana won the 2021 U20 AFCON but haven’t qualified for the World Cup since the 2015 edition.
The post EXCLUSIVE: Black Satellites coach Desmond Ofei opens up on U20 scouting strategy first appeared on 3News.
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