Starlets ready to upset Colombia
After over two decades since Ghana last won the juvinile World Cup trophy, the national Under-17 team, Black Starlets, will be hoping to bounce back onto the international stage when they open their FIFA U-17 World Cup campaign against Colombia today.
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The Starlets are participating in the tournament for the first time in 10 years when they last played and finished fourth in the tournament hosted by South Korea.
Having won the tournament on two occasions in 1991 and 1995, Ghana are looking to redeem their image at the world stage when they line up against the Colombians in an expected tough clash at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in New Delhi.
Before their qualification to participate at the global showpiece in India, the Starlets announced themselves on the African stage with convincing wins at the continental campaign before losing 0-1 to Mali in the final.
Coach Paa Kwesi Fabin's side will face a stern test at a tournament which has produced global icons such as Eden Hazard (2007), Ronaldinho (1995), Toni Kroos (2007) and Cesc Fabregas (2003), among others.
Players such as skipper Eric Ayiah, Ibrahim Sulley, goalkeeper Danlad Ibrahim, Najeeb Yakubu and Emmanuel Toku of the Starlets must rise to meet the demands of the international stage as Ghana chase a third world title.
The Ghanaian players can take inspiration from their illustrious predecessors such as Odartey Lamptey, Sammy Kuffour, Yaw Preko, Mohammed Gargo and Daniel Addo who made names for themselves at the same stage when Ghana dominated the competition in 1991.
Ghana need to win their opening game to stand a chance of qualifying to the next stage but the Colombians are ready to give them a tough contest.
Having emerged fourth on two occassions in 2003 and 2009 at the U-17 level, the Colombians will be ready to start on a good note to be able to stand a chance of winning their first title at the tournament.