U17 WAFU B: Ivory Coast will not escape, we’ll beat them – Kurt Okraku

Kurt Okraku is confident in the Black Starlets’ ability to beat Ivory Coast in their first game of the U17 West Africa Football Union (WAFU) B tournament.

The Ghana U-17 side will open the tournament with a crucial battle against neighbours Ivory Coast at the University of Ghana stadium on Wednesday, May 15, 2024.

Ghana Football Association boss Kurt Okraku believes it is already a done deal for the hosts and encourages them to maintain positivity and unity to secure qualification for the 2025 U-17 Africa Cup of Nations. This goal has eluded them since 2017.

“No matter how the game starts, we must beat them. Let’s stay together. There will be good moments and challenging moments but let’s stay together and fight for the honour of our dear country”, the President stated.

“It’s time to show Ghana and Africa the things you’ve learnt. I am in no doubt about the quality of talents we have in this team. Neither am I in doubt about the level of commitment and desire to show what you have.”

• Kurt Okraku assures Black Starlets of massive support ahead of WAFU opener

“Tomorrow (Wednesday), you will get the platform to exhibit your God-given talent to Ghana, Africa and the rest of the world. The opposition will not escape tomorrow! We’ll beat them,” President Okraku charged the playing body and the technical team.

“Our desire is to go to the 2025 AFCON: And to open that door, we need the victory tomorrow. For me, tomorrow is our final!”

Ahead of the tournament, the technical team led by former Ghana international Laryea Kingston have trained extensively.

Black Starlets coach Laryea Kingston has released his squad for the U17 WAFU Zone B Championship #3SportsGH pic.twitter.com/fV4m7fetWd

— #3Sports (@3SportsGh) May 14, 2024

They have engaged in pre-tournament-friendly matches as well as the U16 UEFA Youth championship in Russia.

The game kicks off at 2:00 pm local time with Ghana’s next game scheduled for Tuesday, May 21, 2024.

Ghana are hoping to leverage the competition to return to the African U17 Youth  Championship which has eluded them for the past seven years having last participated in 2017.