Black Starlets Head Coach Dr. Prosper Narteh Ogum remains highly optimistic his side will begin their 2026 U17 Africa Cup of Nations campaign with victory when they face Algeria in their opening Group D game on Thursday in Rabat.
The Starlets team has been intensifying preparations ahead of the crucial encounter, with the technical team expressing satisfaction with the players’ readiness and mentality going into the tournament opener.
Speaking ahead of the match, Dr. Ogum said the Black Starlets have prepared adequately for the challenge and believes the team possesses the quality and determination needed to secure all three points.
“I am very optimistic about our chances against Algeria. The boys have trained very well, they understand our philosophy, and mentally they are ready for the task ahead,” he said.
The Black Starlets coach acknowledged the strength of the Algerian side but stressed that his players are focused on imposing themselves and executing their game plan effectively.
“We respect Algeria because every team that has qualified for this tournament deserves respect. But at the same time, we believe strongly in our own abilities and what we can do as a team.”
Ghana qualified for the U17 AFCON after finishing runners-up at the WAFU Zone B Championship and have since played a series of preparatory matches against Ivory Coast and Mali to sharpen the squad for the continental competition.
According to Dr. Ogum, the preparatory games have helped the technical team assess the squad and improve key areas ahead of the tournament.
“The friendly matches gave us the kind of competition we needed. We have learned a lot from those games and corrected a few things tactically. The players have responded positively, and I am happy with the progress we have made.”
The coach also emphasized the importance of starting the competition on a winning note, describing the opening game as crucial to Ghana’s ambitions at the tournament.
“A good start is always important in tournaments because it gives the team confidence and momentum. We know what this game means, and the players are determined to make Ghana proud.”
The Black Starlets completed another training session in Rabat with all players available for selection and no injury concerns reported by the technical team.
Ghana will be aiming not only to progress deep into the competition but also secure qualification to the FIFA U17 World Cup later this year.
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