Black Satellites head coach Desmond Ofei has called for the creation of elite youth competitions in Ghana and greater opportunities for young players in the Ghana Premier League to support the development of national youth teams.

Ofei, who was speaking after Ghana secured third place at the 2025 WAFU B U20 Boys Cup on home soil, believes stronger structures at the grassroots level will help the country compete more effectively internationally.

Ghana missed out on qualification for the 2025 U20 World Cup after a quarterfinal exit in the CAF U20 AFCON held in Côte d'Ivoire. "I think, in general, we need — on club level, especially for the youth side — a lot of elite competitions.

We need an U18 elite tournament, elite leagues in this country," Ofei said. "Because if you look at the Premier League, there's not a lot of young, talented players there, so it's quite difficult for our national youth teams to develop." He praised the Football Association's efforts to improve the system: "The FA is doing fantastically well, working behind the scenes to get their young boys in an elite environment." Ofei's tenure with the U20 side ended on a high note as Ghana beat Niger 2-0, with a brace from Aziz Musibau securing the bronze medal at the University of Ghana Sports Stadium.