Ghana’s Black Starlets will resume full residential camping in the first week of January as preparations intensify for the 2026 U-17 Africa Cup of Nations.
The upcoming camp signals the beginning of the final stretch, with head coach Dr Prosper Narteh Ogum and his technical team set to step up training activities.
An expanded squad has been invited, giving the coaches a broader base to assess talent and readiness.
After weeks of monitoring and structured sessions, the squad will eventually be reduced to the final 23 players for the continental showpiece.
Players who fail to make the AFCON cut will not be dropped entirely from the national setup. Instead, they will remain in the Black Starlets database as part of a long-term development strategy.
This approach is aimed at preparing for the 2026 WAFU B U-17 Championship, which will take place shortly after the AFCON.
The plan also addresses age eligibility concerns, as some AFCON players may not qualify for the WAFU tournament.
Dr Ogum believes maintaining a wider pool will preserve emerging talent and reduce pressure when rebuilding later in the year.