Head Coach of the Black Starlets, Dr. Prosper Narteh Ogum, says having a full squad of eligible players for the WAFU Zone B U17 Championship is a “positive headache” as he prepares to select his starting eleven for Saturday’s opening game against Togo at the Charles Konan Banny Stadium in Yamoussoukro, Ivory Coast.

All 23 players passed the mandatory MRI test — a key requirement for participation in the tournament — giving the technical team a complete pool of talent to choose from. This, Dr. Ogum says, creates healthy competition within the team and raises the standard ahead of the tournament opener.

“It’s a headache, yes. But for me, it’s a positive headache to have all my players available for selection. It shows the work we’ve put in and the quality we have in camp. Everyone is ready to play, and that level of competition is exactly what we need to perform at the highest level,” Dr. Ogum told the GFA Media Team after training on Friday.

The Black Starlets have been in camp in Yamoussoukro since Monday and have intensified preparations under Dr. Ogum and his assistants. Tactical sessions, set-piece rehearsals, and match-situation drills have been at the heart of their training, as the coaching staff fine-tunes their game plan.

Ghana’s U17 side is determined to kick off the tournament with a win against Togo in Group A, which also features Ivory Coast and Niger. The Black Starlets are aiming to qualify for the 2025 U17 Africa Cup of Nations through the regional competition.

The opening match against Togo will be played at the Charles Konan Banny Stadium in Yamoussoukro, Ivory Coast on Saturday, and Ghanaians are hopeful the team’s depth and quality will translate into a strong start.

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