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.
The match will be played on Thursday, May 14, 2026, in Rabat.
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.
He 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.”
According to Dr. Ogum, the preparatory games they played have helped the technical team assess the squad and identify areas for improvement 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.”
Ghana will be aiming to perform better and also secure a qualification to the FIFA U17 World Cup later this year.
