Starlets to hold Young Elephants

The Young Elephants of Cote d’Ivoire have sent a warning signal about their intention to deny the Black Starlets qualification to the next Africa Under-17 Championship after their surprise 1-3 slip in the first leg at the Cape Coast Stadium a fortnight ago.

The Ivorians are confident of spoiling Ghana’s party based on the conviction that they deserve to be in the tournament next year.

But the Ghanaians are not taking that threat lightly as Coach Paa Kwasi Fabin has sharpened the rough edges of his players ahead of Sunday’s game, knowing that complacency could cost them an appearance in Madagascar.

The Young Elephants were no pushovers in the first leg despie the 1-3 defeat and, considering the number of decent chances they created, the Starlets’ defence would have to be extra careful as well as keep an eye on dangerman, Sangare Balla, to avoid any trouble.

Others such as Toto Ace Michael, Coulibaly Koro and Fofana Halassane who gave the Starlets’ backline a difficult time could again pull the strings from midfield. Coach Fabin’s charges must therefore ensure they pull the breaks on them.

Ghana now need just a draw to seal qualification and, with skipper Eric Ayiah in devastating form following his two goals in the first leg, Coach Fabin is confident that if the team approaches the game with a similar attitude as before, they could come out victorious.

With support from his nimble-footed partner, Emmanuel Toku, the Black Starlets are confident of making the nation proud again by beating the Ivorians in their own backyard to reclaim their position as one of the giants of youth football on the continent.