Ghana’s U-17 team, the Black Starlets, faced a heartbreaking loss against Nigeria in the recent WAFU B U-17 playoff match. Despite putting in their best efforts, the Black Starlets were defeated by the Golden Eaglets with a close score of 3-2 at the University of Ghana Stadium on Tuesday.
Assistant coach Nana Kweku Agyemang commended his players for their determination and hard work on the field. He acknowledged that the team played good football throughout the match but costly mistakes ultimately led to their downfall.
Agyemang pointed out that the center-back position was a weakness for the team during the tournament, with both players struggling to effectively defend against Nigeria’s attacks. He highlighted a specific instance where both center-backs moved out of position, leaving gaps in defense which resulted in a goal for the opponents.
The defeat not only marked the end of the Black Starlets’ journey in the WAFU B U-17 tournament but also shattered their dreams of qualifying for the 2025 U-17 AFCON. With CAF announcing a reduced 12-team tournament, Ghana’s hopes of competing in the prestigious competition have been dashed.
Despite the disappointing outcome, Agyemang remains optimistic about the team’s future and is determined to address the weaknesses exposed in the game. The Black Starlets may have fallen short this time, but they are ready to regroup and come back stronger in future competitions.
