Ghana’s Black Satellites will play Division One League side Semper Fi in a decisive warm-up match on Thursday, 23 July 2026, as they complete preparations for a daunting WAFU B U-20 Championship campaign in Cote d’Ivoire.
The friendly, scheduled for 14:00 local time at the Accra Sports Stadium, will be the team’s last outing before departing for Yamoussoukro, where they will compete under head coach Maxwell Konadu.
Final test before departure
After several weeks of intensive training, Thursday’s fixture is seen as the final audition for players hoping to cement a place in the squad for the regional tournament.
Konadu and his backroom staff are expected to use the clash with Semper Fi to refine tactical plans, examine different player combinations and assess the overall readiness of the group ahead of the competition.
The Black Satellites continued their build-up on Wednesday with a demanding training session at the University of Ghana Stadium Annex B. The session placed particular emphasis on tactical organisation and physical conditioning, as the technical team sought to ensure the side can cope with the high intensity of tournament football over a two-week period.
Thursday’s friendly will give the coaches a chance to see how training-ground work translates into match situations, with performance levels likely to influence the final squad selection.
Squad selection and travel plans
The encounter against Semper Fi is being treated as a crucial dress rehearsal. It will be the last opportunity for fringe players to impress before Konadu names his final list for the trip to Cote d’Ivoire.
Once the game is concluded and assessments have been made, the Black Satellites are expected to finalise their travel arrangements to Yamoussoukro, where they will join seven other West African sides contesting the WAFU B U-20 title.
The technical team is understood to be focused not only on immediate results but also on building a coherent unit capable of competing at higher levels over the coming years.
Tough group for Black Satellites
Ghana have been placed in a challenging Group B and will open their campaign against long-standing rivals Nigeria, a fixture that often carries added emotion and scrutiny at youth level.
They will then face Burkina Faso and Togo in what is widely regarded as one of the most competitive groups in the tournament. Progress from the group stage is expected to require consistent performances and tactical discipline across all three matches.
The Black Satellites, historically one of Africa’s strongest youth sides, will be aiming to assert their pedigree in the region and secure qualification for the continental stage.
Pathway to U-20 AFCON on home soil
The 2026 WAFU B U-20 Championship doubles as the qualifying competition for the 2027 TotalEnergies CAF U-20 Africa Cup of Nations.
Ghana will host the 2027 U-20 AFCON, adding further significance to their campaign. A strong performance in Yamoussoukro would not only confirm their place at the tournament but also help build momentum and public expectation ahead of staging the continental showpiece.
With the final warm-up against Semper Fi set to shape the composition and confidence of the squad, all attention now turns to Accra Sports Stadium as the Black Satellites look to take a decisive step in their preparations for a crucial year in Ghanaian youth football.
