The Ghana Football Association (GFA) has officially announced the appointment of Desmond Sakyi Ofei as the new head coach of the Ghana U-20 national team, the Black Satellites.
The 35-year-old, holding a UEFA A License from the KBVB – Royal Belgium Football Association, has assumed the top role after serving as an assistant coach for almost nine months.
Desmond, born in Mampong-Akwapim but holding Belgian citizenship, has rapidly risen through the coaching ranks with his impressive credentials. His managerial journey has seen him work with Sporting Lokeren for five years before taking the helm as the head coach for Lusitano SAD of Portugal in January 2021, a position he held until the end of the 2020/21 season.
Following his stint with Lusitano SAD, Ofei moved back to Belgium with the Antwerp U-18 for the 2021/22 season, further honing his coaching skills.
In December 2022, he transitioned to the GFA Technical Directorate, focusing on High Performance, before being assigned the assistant coaching role at the Black Satellites under Samuel Boadu.
Now, after close to nine months in the assistant position, he has been promoted to the substantive head coach.
In an official statement, the Ghana Football Association lauded Ofei’s coaching background, stating:
“Desmond Ofei has been named as the new head coach of the Black Satellites. The 35-year-old UEFA A (Level 4) Licensed Professional football coach is a former U-18 Head Coach and U-21 coach at Royal Antwerp FC. He is also a former Lokeren U-21 and Lusitano SAD head coach.
“He has coaching and scouting experience in Belgium, Nigeria, Kenya, and South Africa.”
Furthermore, the GFA has also revealed the addition of former Ghana international Nii Odartey Lamptey and Salifu Fatawu as assistants to coach Ofei, bolstering the coaching staff of the Black Satellites.
Desmond Ofei’s appointment signals a new chapter for the Ghana U-20 national team, with high hopes for success under his leadership. His track record and qualifications make him a promising choice to lead the next generation of Ghanaian football stars.
