Ghana’s Under-17 side would be seeking to erase the events of last week after the senior team, the Black Stars lost to Libya in Tripoli.
The Black Starlets would take on Libya in the Africa U-17 qualifiers today in Tripoli.
Certainly the levels of both games are different but one overriding factor is the end result, victory. A win or draw for Ghana would propel the Black Starlets into the final qualifying round for a place to the 8th Africa U-17 Championship.
Ghana will be looking to consolidate their first leg win over Libya in the first round qualifiers when both sides clash in Tripoli today.
The Black Starlets head into today’s game with a 3-0 advantage but are well aware of the threat posed by the home side.
Goal from Frank Acheampong, Felix Adjei and Kwame Nsor handed Ghana a perfect start. The scoreline could have been more for Ghana with Black Starlets coach E.K. Afranie admitting that his boys fumbled when it came to finding the goal despite scoring three times.
“The Libyans were not a bad side and their goalkeeper for instance was fantastic and it got to a time when the game was between my boys and the goalkeeper alone.
“They (Black Starlets) messed up some chances but I think it was a good start because that was their first time of playing together at the Ohene Djan Stadium but for me I am okay”.
With some 90 minutes to play for, the Ghanaian coach doesn’t expect the Libyans to end the dream of the Black Starlets. Afranie says they would not give away the 3-0 lead when they meet the Libyans today.
“We will still have to wait and play them away but I believe half of the battle is won”, the experienced coach said.
The 3-0 lead at the Ohene Djan Stadium a fortnight ago seems to have almost settled the fixture as Black Starlets captain, Kwame Frimpong remains hopeful of progress.
“I think our performance was very good especially being our first game in the qualifiers.
“We will keep the fire burning and get a good result in Libya in the second leg,” Frimpong said.
The winner over both legs will advance to meet the winner of the clash between Gambia and Sierra Leone in the final qualifying round for a place to the 8th Africa U-17 Championship to be hosted by Algeria in 2009.