Ghana’s U17 national team, the Black Starlets, are set for a crucial test against arch-rivals Nigeria in the semi-final of the WAFU Zone B U17 Boys Championship in Yamoussoukro, Côte d’Ivoire.
The team wrapped up their final training session on Monday evening at the Félix Houphouët-Boigny National Polytechnic Institute under the guidance of head coach Dr. Prosper Narteh Ogum.
The drills centered on tactical organization, finishing, and set-piece routines as the players fine-tuned preparations for Tuesday night’s clash.
The Starlets enter the game with renewed confidence, having recovered from a shaky group-stage start to defeat Niger 3-1 in their last outing.
That result secured their place in the last four and reignited hopes of reaching next year’s U17 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.
With AFCON qualification and a spot in the final on the line, Coach Ogum has urged his players to focus on both discipline and mental toughness.
“We have prepared well, and the boys understand what this game means to Ghana. It is not just about football; it is about pride and the chance to go to the AFCON,” he said.
The Ghana–Nigeria rivalry adds an extra layer of intensity to the encounter, which is scheduled to kick off at 7:00 p.m. GMT at the Charles Konan Banny Stadium in Yamoussoukro.