“We Completely Outplayed Côte d’Ivoire Despite Penalty Heartbreak”- Prosper Ogum
Head coach of Ghana’s national U-17 team, the Black Starlets, Dr. Prosper Narteh Ogum, has expressed pride in his players despite their defeat to Côte d’Ivoire in the WAFU Zone B U-17 Championship final.
The Starlets lost 4-3 on penalties after a goalless draw in regulation time, finishing the tournament with a silver medal.
Speaking to Asempa FM, Ogum insisted that his side dominated the contest and were tactically superior throughout.
“We completely outplayed Côte d’Ivoire,” he said. “No disrespect, but they clearly didn’t have a Plan B.”
Ogum noted that while the Ivorians proved resilient, Ghana created more chances and dictated the tempo of the game. However, their inability to convert opportunities into goals ultimately cost them the title.
Despite the heartbreak, Ogum commended his young players for their discipline and growth throughout the competition, emphasizing that the experience gained would be vital for their development and the future of Ghana football.
The Black Starlets reached the final after impressive wins over Nigeria and Benin, displaying attacking flair and defensive solidity. Their silver-medal finish marks a significant step forward for Ghana’s youth football rebuilding process under the Ghana Football Association’s talent development agenda.
Ghana will now turn attention to preparing for the U17 AFCON assignment, with the hope that this promising group forms the core of the next generation of Black Stars.
