Black Stars assistant coach Desmond Ofei has stated that the squad will focus on their own strengths in their bid to win the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Chad and Madagascar. In an interview with ghanafa.org, the 2024 African Games Gold medalist noted that the team has learned valuable lessons from their failure to qualify for the Africa Cup of Nations.
Ofei highlighted the team's determination to rectify the situation and appealed to Ghanaians for their support.
Ghana will host Chad at the Accra Sports Stadium on Friday, March 21, before traveling to Morocco to face Madagascar in two crucial World Cup qualifiers.
Read on for the transcript:
On reaction to appointment as Black Stars assistant Coach
Obviously we were having this conversation and I got a phone call from Deputy General Secretary Alex Asante. We had a very good conversation and it was quite positive, so I had enough time also to process it and yeah, we came through with the FA and in a very progressive way.
On readiness for the task ahead
I am one hundred percent ready. Because I think it's not about me per say. But it's what we have to do together and we are one hundred percent ready as staff and I'm sure the players also.
On combining the Black Stars job with that of the Black Satellites
Well, luckily it doesn't clash at all because the tournaments with the U-20 don’t fall in the official window. Apart from that, I have a really top Technical team with the U-20. So it's quite positive and yeah, it's easy to combine.
On new role as Black Stars Assistant Coach
No, I think my role is quite simple. My role is to assist the head coach as best as I can. So with me it's about hard work and supporting any level as possible and any areas that we feel like we need to improve on. So yeah, from my side it’s just hard work and helping the head coach as best as I can.
On how to turn things around after AFCON disappointment
Yeah, I mean, as we all know, it was very painful moment for us not to qualify for the AFCON this year in Morocco, but we've learned a lot. We've learned a lot from the mistakes on and off the pitch and we feel like we are very hungry to try and rectify the situation. And once again, it's through hard work and through working together and yeah, we are willing to work really hard to rectify those mistakes.
On approach to matches against Chad and Madagascar
First of all, I think we have to look at ourselves because we have enough quality in the squad to make sure that we perform on the day. Yes, of course we want to also make the Ghanaian fans very proud of us, so it's very important that we give a really good performance against Chad at home. They're going to fight and it's going to be like a final. So for us, I think it's very important to make sure that this window is wrapped up very, very positively and make sure that the Ghanaian fans are very well and very happy with us. Like I said, we have to look at their strengths. Now both teams, Chad and Madagascar, have new coaches, so we don’t know how they're going to set up. But we know the players of course, so it's about us and how we get the boys ready to fight and make sure they give everything on a day.
On discussion with head coach Otto Addo and Technical Advisor Winfred Schieffer
Yeah, it's about trying to improve on every level. Like I said before, on and off the pitch situations where we feel like we should need improvement is something that we've been discussing and talking about. So we've been working really hard behind the scenes and trying to rectify all the things that might not have been worked out the way we wanted. So we've been working really hard and with very experienced person and a coach. So, obviously with the head coach who is very, hungry to try and achieve the absolute best, which is to qualify to the World Cup. I think not only in the team, I think, like I said off the pitch, which means the fans, we need their support, but it's up to us to win the hearts of many fans back again and to bring back the love. So it's about performance, it's about winning and this is football on the highest level. We all the other teams also want to qualify to the World Cup. So it's, it is up to us to make sure that we deliver on the pitch on the day and take it to the next level.
On pitches
I think the number one key area that needs improvement is facilities. Our boys need to play on the best pitches. We've been engaging with the Sports Minister so they're also trying and willing to help. So I think that's the key area for us, to make sure that the boys can play on the best possible pitch.
On words to Ghanaians
No, I think they should come in abundance. We are playing in Accra once again, what I can say from our Technical side is that we're going to give our one hundred percent commitment on the day and with their help and support, I'm sure we will make it a very magical evening for us and start the process on qualifying to the World Cup. We'll do everything in our power to win this.
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