Omanghana
Black Maidens head coach Joe Nana Adarkwa says his team is determined to retain the WAFU B U-17 Girls Cup while using the competition to prepare for the upcoming FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup.
Ghana begin their campaign against Burkina Faso in Yamoussoukro with confidence after winning the inaugural edition of the regional tournament on home soil.
Ahead of the opening match, Adarkwa said the players remained focused on defending their crown and strengthening Ghana’s position as one of the leading teams in the subregion.
The coach explained that the technical team was approaching the competition with clear objectives and would not underestimate any opponent. He said the players were in high spirits and prepared to compete for another title.
Beyond the immediate ambition of winning the tournament, Adarkwa indicated that the WAFU B competition would provide an important opportunity to evaluate his squad before the global championship.
The coaching staff will use the matches to assess individual performances, examine the team’s tactical discipline and ensure there is sufficient balance across the defensive, midfield and attacking departments.
The tournament will also allow Ghana to test its strength against some of West Africa’s strongest youth teams, including regional rivals Nigeria.
Adarkwa believes the quality of competition in Yamoussoukro will help expose areas requiring improvement and enable the technical team to assemble a formidable squad for the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup.
The Black Maidens enter the competition carrying the expectations associated with being defending champions, but their wider objective remains building a competitive team capable of representing Ghana strongly on the world stage.
Source: Omanghana
