Ghana's U17 national team, the Black Starlets, are on a determined mission to reclaim the nation's former stature in youth football as they prepare for their WAFU Zone B Championship opener against Togo this Saturday in Yamoussoukro.
Under the guidance of head coach Dr. Prosper Narteh Ogum, the team is looking to reconnect with Ghana's rich legacy that produced two FIFA U17 World Cup titles and numerous African championships.
The Black Starlets' intensive training sessions in Ivory Coast represent more than just preparation for a regional tournament—they symbolize Ghana's concerted effort to revive its youth development system and restore its reputation as a powerhouse of African football.
Dr. Ogum, who brings both academic expertise and practical coaching experience to the role, has emphasized the historical significance of their campaign.
The WAFU Zone B Championship serves as a crucial qualifying pathway to the 2025 U17 Africa Cup of Nations, but for Ghana, success in this tournament represents something larger: the first step back to prominence in youth football after recent years of underwhelming performances on the continental and world stages.
With a full squad available and no injury concerns, the Black Starlets enter their opening match against Togo with optimism and purpose. Their campaign in Group A—which also features hosts Ivory Coast and Niger—will test both their technical abilities and their capacity to handle the pressure of representing Ghana's football heritage.
As the team fine-tunes its tactics and set-piece routines in final training sessions, there's a growing sense that this tournament could mark the beginning of Ghana's resurgence in youth football, with Dr. Ogum and his technical team leading the charge to restore the Black Starlets to their rightful place among Africa's elite.
Send your news stories to [email protected] and via WhatsApp on +233 546310076.
Read Full Story
Facebook
Twitter
Pinterest
Instagram
Google+
YouTube
LinkedIn
RSS