Head Coach of the Black Starlets, Prosper Narteh Ogum has reiterated that his players are focused and ready for face Algeria in their Group D opener in the TotalEnergies CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.
Ghana head into the TotalEnergies CAF U-17 AFCON in Morocco as two-time champions, having won the tournament in 1995 and 1999. Even though it has been over 25 years since their last title, coach Prosper Narteh Ogum says the team is motivated by that proud history.
He believes reminding the players of Ghana’s tradition is just as important as training on the pitch.
Ghana have been placed in a very difficult Group D alongside defending champions Senegal, Algeria, and South Africa. Ogum admits it is one of the toughest groups in the competition, with every team capable of qualifying.
While Senegal are the defending champions, the coach says Algeria will also be a serious challenge. He describes them as disciplined, organized, and dangerous on the counterattack.
Ghana qualified for the tournament after a strong WAFU B campaign, where they reached the final before losing to Côte d’Ivoire on penalties. Although painful, Ogum says that defeat taught the team valuable lessons about handling pressure, staying focused, and recovering from disappointment.
According to him, the biggest strength of this squad is their hunger and team spirit. Howeve he said the players work hard every day, support each other, and remain focused despite pressure.
Rather than relying on individual stars, Ogum believes Ghana’s greatest weapon is their unity, discipline, and strong team mentality.
Beyond reaching the knockout stage, Ghana are also chasing qualification for the 2026 FIFA U-17 World Cup in Qatar. Ogum says the tournament is not only about results but also a big opportunity for the players to develop their careers and show their talent to the world.