Black Meteors begin preparations for Libya U-23 qualifier

Ghanas Black Meteors will return to camp on Monday, 12 October as they step up preparations for their CAF U-23 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying tie against Libya next month.

Head coach Desmond Ofei is expected to welcome 32 players to the Ghanaman Soccer Centre of Excellence in Prampram for the start of the training camp. Six foreign-based players are also due to join the squad before the two-legged qualifying contest.

The matches will be played during the 917 November international window. Ofei and his technical staff will reduce the size of the squad as preparations continue.

Locally based players are expected to remain in camp until the qualifiers. However, clubs may request their temporary release each week so they can play in Ghana league fixtures.

Ghana will begin the tie away from home in Libya before hosting the second leg. The winners on aggregate will advance to the final qualifying round, where they will face either Equatorial Guinea U-23 or Niger U-23.

The three-round qualification process will decide which seven teams join hosts Egypt at the eight-team U-23 Africa Cup of Nations finals.

Qualification would also give the Black Meteors an opportunity to revive Ghanas hopes of returning to the mens Olympic football tournament. Ghanas last appearance at the Games came at the 2004 Athens Olympics.