Black Starlets head coach Dr Prosper Narteh Ogum has applauded his side’s resilience and tactical discipline following their 1-1 stalemate with Togo in the opening match of the WAFU Zone B U17 Boys Championship in Yamoussoukro on Sunday.
The game started on a difficult note for Ghana as defender Gabriel Denyinah was shown a red card just two minutes into play, leaving the Starlets with a numerical disadvantage for almost the entire match.
Despite the setback, Ghana responded impressively and broke the deadlock in the ninth minute. Captain Joseph Narbi rose to the occasion, latching onto a precise cross from Mark Aboagye to put his side in front.
Togo pushed for an equaliser and were eventually rewarded midway through the second half when Sultan Ganiou converted from the penalty spot. With the score level, Ghana dug deep, staying organised and compact to hold off the Togolese pressure until the final whistle.
Dr Ogum praised his young team for showing character in adversity. “Despite playing almost the whole match with ten men, the boys stuck to the game plan and maintained their discipline. That is exactly the kind of mentality we want to instill in this group,” he noted.
He also reserved special praise for captain Narbi, who was named Man of the Match. “Joseph showed outstanding leadership today. His goal and overall performance lifted the team when they needed it most,” the coach added.
The Starlets now turn their attention to a crucial clash against tournament hosts Ivory Coast on Tuesday, buoyed by the confidence gained from their spirited opening display.
