Ghana Black Starlets coach Laryea Kingston has named an ambitious squad for the upcoming WAFU Zone B U-17 Cup of Nations in Accra, with high hopes of ending the country’s seven-year drought at the continental U-17 Africa Cup of Nations.
Host Ghana will kick start the tournament with a game against Cote D’Ivoire on Wednesday, May 15, 2024 at the University of Ghana Stadium.
The Black Starlets have been camping at the Ghanaman Centre of Excellence in Prampram, rigorously preparing for the tournament that kicks off on Wednesday, May 15 the University of Ghana Stadium. Kingston’s side has engaged in a series of friendlies against local clubs as well as the recent UEFA U-16 Invitational tournament in Volgograd, Russia, where they tasted victory and defeat.
The Black Starlets would aim for a ticket to the 2024 U17 Africa Cup of Nations after crashing out at the Group stages in the previous edition hosted in Cape Coast.
As they go into the WAFU championship aiming to qualify for their first U-17 AFCON since 2017, the Starlets will face Cote d’Ivoire in their opening Group A game on May 15, before taking on Benin in their other group match on May 21. The WAFU Zone B U-17 tournament runs from May 15-28 at the University of Ghana stadium in Accra.
Kingston has assembled a talented squad blending products of top local academies, while leaning on a core from the Ghanaman Academy setup.
After years of underachievement at this level, the pressure is on Kingston and his charges to rekindle Ghana’s prowess and qualify for the U-17 AFCON. A strong showing at home in the WAFU tournament could propel the Starlets back to continental prominence.
The squad is below:
