Ghana head coach Joe Nana Adarkwa says the Black Maidens will use their WAFU B U-17 Girls Cup campaign to prepare for the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup, while also aiming to retain their regional title.
Ghana begin their tournament against Burkina Faso in Yamoussoukro tomorrow. Although player development is a central objective, Adarkwa insists the defending champions are determined to compete seriously against the strongest sides in the competition.
“We are here to compete for the World Cup... we are going to use this tournament to assess our players, to prepare them and go into the World Cup that will give us a good result,” he said at a press conference.
Adarkwa said the team had not travelled to Yamoussoukro simply to participate, adding: “We are here for business.”
He also underlined Ghana’s ambition to measure themselves against Nigeria and the other teams involved.
“We are here to compete and compete with the best teams like Nigeria and all other groups here.”
The coach said the squad had been strengthened across the pitch, with improvements made in both attacking and defensive areas as Ghana seek to challenge at the highest level.
“If you want to compete with the best, you have to strengthen your team,” he explained.
Ghana’s status as defending champions has also provided an additional lift ahead of the tournament. The Black Maidens won the previous edition, held in Ghana, and Adarkwa believes that achievement has helped create a positive mindset within the squad.
“Everything is high because we are defending champions. The last one that we played in Ghana we won it right, so the spirit is already high, so we are here to defend it.”
The campaign against Burkina Faso will therefore serve a dual purpose for Ghana: testing the players as they build towards the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup and pursuing another WAFU B title.
GFA Communications
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