The Black Starlets will engage their Ivorian counterparts, the Young Elephants, in a double-header international friendly as part of final preparations for the upcoming U-17 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.
Both matches will be staged at the Alassane Ouattara Stadium in Ebimpe, with the first game scheduled for Tuesday, April 28 and the second on Friday, May 1. The friendlies are expected to serve as a crucial dress rehearsal for both sides as they fine-tune tactics and assess squad readiness ahead of the continental tournament.
The Black Starlets are set to depart Ghana on April 26 for Abidjan, before continuing their journey to Ebimpe where the matches will take place.
Head coach Dr. Prosper Narteh Ogum believes the fixtures will provide the level of competition needed to adequately prepare his side for the challenge ahead.
“These matches are very important for us at this stage of our preparation. We need strong opposition to properly assess the team and make the right adjustments before the tournament,” he said.
“Playing Ivory Coast away gives us a real competitive edge. It will test our mentality, our structure, and our ability to cope under pressure.”
Coach Ogum also emphasized the importance of the games in shaping his final squad and tactical approach.
“This is an opportunity for the players to prove themselves. We are looking at consistency, discipline and how well they execute our game plan. It’s about building a team that can compete at the highest level.”
Ghana has been drawn in Group D alongside Senegal, Algeria, and South Africa, setting up a challenging path in the tournament.
With expectations high, the upcoming friendlies against the Young Elephants are seen as a key step in the Black Starlets’ quest to make a strong impact at the U-17 AFCON and secure qualification to the global stage.
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