FC Samartex general manager Edmund Ackah has questioned Desmond Ofei’s suitability to lead Ghana’s U-23 national team, the Black Meteors, citing concerns over his commitment to the domestic league and opportunities for locally based players.

Ofei was appointed head coach of the Black Meteors after being relieved of his duties as an assistant coach of the Black Stars, with the task of preparing the team for the Olympic Games qualifiers.

However, Ackah believes the appointment raises questions about Ofei’s knowledge of Ghana Premier League talent, arguing that the coach has not demonstrated sufficient interest in the domestic game.

“I have never seen Desmond Ofei at a Ghana Premier League match, yet he’s being backed to lead the U-23s [Black Meteors]. He showed little faith in local players at the U-20 level [Black Satellites],” Ackah told Asempa FM’s .

The experienced football administrator also criticised what he considers a failure to learn from previous decisions concerning the development of young Ghanaian footballers.

“Must we keep recycling the same mistakes while our local talents suffer?” he added.

The Black Meteors are an important pathway for young players seeking to progress to the senior national team, the Black Stars. 

Meanwhile, the Black Meteors are scheduled to face Libya in the second round of the Olympic Games qualifiers as Ghana seek to return to the men’s football tournament for the first time since the 2004 Athens Games.