Black Maidens head coach Joe Nana Adarkwa says his team are mentally ready and tactically prepared for tomorrow's U-17 Women's World Cup quarter-final against Japan.

"Mentally, we are there," Adarkwa said.

"We are going to organise the team in terms of defensive shape, scoring, and so many things. We are going to close them down. We are not going to allow them to control the game."

The coach acknowledged that Japan are a capable side but insisted Ghana can compete. "Our opponents are capable, but we are capable of being with them at any given time, so we are going to control the game," he added.

Adarkwa also addressed the absence of certain players, describing it as "painful" but stressing that replacements are ready to step in.

"We need them, but while they are not there, we have replacements, so we are going to work on them and see how they are going to play. Definitely, we know that they are going to play. They can play," he said.

"We want to qualify and go to the semis, so we are praying to our God that we qualify, and hopefully, I know we are going to qualify."

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