GhanaFA

Starlets get down to work

15 years ago
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The Confederation of African Football, Caf, has cleared Gambia of alleged age cheating, thus setting the stage for the clash against Ghana in the final qualifying round to the 8th African Under-17 Championship.

Ghana’s opponents for the second round was left hanging after the Sierra Leone FA had complained about three players in the Gambia side who they claimed were over age. But Caf has investigated the claims and ruled that there is no evidence to back it up.

Even before the Caf decision on Thursday, Ghana coach, Emmanuel Kwesi Afranie had started work ahead for the final round qualifier calling 30 players to camp at the Ghanaman Soccer School of Excellence in Prampram.

The Black Starlets began preparations on Wednesday for next month’s clash.

Ghana would host the first on November 9 with the return fixture to be played in Banjul on November 23.

The Black Starlets stayed on course for the African Under-17 Championship next year by booking a place in the final round of qualifiers with a 5-1 aggregate win against Libya over two-legs.

The winner over two-legs in the final qualifying round secures a place to the 8th Africa U-17 Championship to be hosted by Algeria in 2009.

Coach Afranie says he is determined to build a strong team which would be capable of achieving their goals but first they have to reach the Africa U-17 Championship.

The veteran coach has praised his side for reaching the final stages of the qualifying campaign but believes they are work in progress.

"That is in the past now. The real work lies ahead," he said.

“But let’s not play down the achievement of the boys. They played really well and deserved it.”

Black Starlets squad:

James Nkansah, Ernest Adu, Philip Adu, Isaac Eshun, Moro Ibrahim, Abeiku Ainooson, Basit Masawudu, Aaron Amoah, Mubarak Moro, Kwame Frimpong, Alhassan Mohammed, Felix Adjei, Nsor Kwame, Bortey Fidel, Frank Opoku Acheampong, Samed Ibrahim, Emmanuel Odoi and Mahatma Otoo.

The rest are: Fatau Mohammed, Kingsley Kwakye, Tahiru Malik, Paul Manu, Issah Mumuni, Evans Ofosu-Antwi, Tuffour Frimpong, Bismark Adu Twum, Bright Addae, Joseph Owusu Bempah, Jamal Hamidu and Ebo Andoh.