Frederick Acheampong, the Chairman of the Black Meteors Management Committee has divulged that the team will be involved in two high profile friendly games ahead of the 2023 U-23 African Cup of Nations (AFCON).
The Black Meteors secured a place at the U-23 AFCON to be played in Morocco from Saturday, June 24 to Saturday, July 8, 2023 after beating Mozambique 4-1 on aggregate in the second round of the qualifiers and Algeria 2-1 in the third and final round.
The U-23 team will soon commence preparations for the competition and per Chairman of the team’s Management Committee, the Ghana FA is currently in discussion to arrange two friendly games as part of the preparations.
“In between that, we are looking to play some international friendlies. A minimum of two matches before we enter the tournament. If anything is confirmed, we would make it public,” said Frederick Acheampong as quoted by GhanaSoccernet.
Meanwhile, Ghana have been confirmed in Pot 1 for the group stage draw of the competition. The Black Meteors are joined in the Pot by West African neighbors Mali.
Host nation Morocco and holders Egypt were seeded, while Gabon and debutants Congo, Guinea and Niger were placed in Pot 2.
The situation means Ghana will be drawn in the same group with one of Morocco and Egypt, and then two of Gabon, Congo, Guinea and Niger.
The date for the draw of the competition is yet to be announced by the Confederation of African Football (CAF).
The U-23 AFCON will serve as qualifiers for the 2024 Olympic Games to be held in Paris. The top three teams from the competition will qualify to the Olympics, while the 4th-placed team will play against a team from Asia in a playoffs to decide the final slot at the Olympics.
Ghana is hoping to make the Olympics for the first time since 2004 in Greece. The Black Meteors missed out on the previous edition in Japan after finishing 4th at the U-23 AFCON in Egypt.