Ghana U17 head coach Prosper Nartey Ogum has expressed strong optimism as the Black Starlets prepare for their return to the 2026 U17 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.
Ghana has been placed in a competitive Group D alongside Senegal, Algeria, and South Africa, setting up a tough challenge in their first appearance at the tournament in almost a decade.
Despite the difficulty of the group, Ogum remains confident in his squad’s ability to compete and make an impact.
“Our chances are very good. We believe in the quality of the team. It’s just unfortunate we’ve been absent for the past nine years, which may create the perception that others are ahead of us,” he said on the GFA Podcast hosted by Patrick Akoto.
“When it comes to talent, we have assembled the best available. We need to trust the process. We have gathered data on our opponents and are analyzing them, but our main focus remains on improving ourselves.”
As part of their preparations, the Black Starlets are scheduled to face Ivory Coast in a two-legged international friendly, which will provide the technical team with valuable insight into the squad ahead of the tournament.
Ghana’s absence from recent U17 AFCON tournaments has raised questions about its competitiveness, but the coaching staff is confident that this group has what it takes to restore belief and re-establish the team’s standing on the continent.
