WAFU B U-20 Championship: We are ready for the tournament – Ghana coach Maxwell Konadu declares

Black Satellites head coach Maxwell Konadu says Ghana is fully prepared for their Group B opener against defending champions Nigeria at the 2026 WAFU B U-20 qualifiers.

The two sides will clash at the Lycée Scientifique Stadium in Yamoussoukro, Côte d'Ivoire later today.

Addressing the media at Sunday's pre-match press conference, Konadu acknowledged the magnitude of the fixture but expressed confidence in his team's preparations and readiness for the challenge.

"I think we've prepared enough. The boys are ready. We played a couple of friendly games before coming here, and I think the boys are ready for the impending assignment ahead of us."

Konadu also revealed that Ghana had suffered a setback before travelling after losing a key defensive midfielder to injury. However, he insisted the squad has enough depth to cope with the absence.

"We made that correction at home before embarking on this trip. Our key and main defensive midfielder got hurt in training and couldn't make the trip. But we're building everybody for this job, and so we think we're okay even without him."

Despite Nigeria's pedigree and status as defending champions, Konadu believes his side possesses the quality and mentality to compete on equal terms.

"We are game-ready. We pose the same threat to our Nigerian brothers. Matches between these two nations are always top-liners. Everybody goes in with his full arsenal, trying to carry the day."

The Black Satellites will also face Burkina Faso and Togo in Group B as they bid to secure a place in the knockout stage and mount a serious challenge for the WAFU B U-20 Championship title.

The WAFU B U-20 Championship serves as qualification for the 2027 CAF U-20 Africa Cup of Nations to be hosted by Ghana.