Assistant Coach Desmond Offei will lead the Black Stars in Friday’s international friendly against Mexico in Puebla, following the absence of Head Coach Carlos Queiroz due to personal reasons.

Offei, who has supervised the team’s preparations since arrival in Mexico, will be assisted by goalkeepers’ trainer Daniel Gaspar and set-piece coach/video analyst Gregory De Grauwe.

The match forms part of Ghana’s preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, where the Black Stars will face Panama, England, and Croatia in the group stage.

The game between Mexico and Ghana falls outside the FIFA international window, leading to an experimental squad featuring local talents, U23 players and several uncapped names.

Ofei, who has played a key role in the setup since Queiroz’s appointment, recently described the Mexico game as “more than just a game,” insisting it offers players the chance to prove themselves ahead of the World Cup.

The second assistant coach has also acknowledged the scale of the challenge awaiting Ghana, describing Mexico as a side with “great intensity and international experience.”

Mexico, co-hosts of the 2026 World Cup, are also expected to use the fixture as part of their final preparations for the tournament.