The Ghana U17 team is gradually evolving into something very special on the blindside of everyone.
Coach Karim Zito has already succeeded in moulding an exciting crop of youngsters who will definitely delight the whole world when the African Cup qualifying tournament commences in September, all things being equal.
In the midst of recent uncertainties coupled with lies, misinformation and deceit plus the recurrent problem of inadequate resources and poor facilities that has characterized Ghana football, Ghanaians will surely have something to cheer about with this ‘special’ Black Starlets come September.
Black Starlets in stretching drills
Perhaps they are flattering to deceive but with my close association with football in recent years, I’d be damned if not right to what I witnessed on my visit to the Ghanaman Soccer School of Excellence in Prampram where the team is camping.
My excitement is even heightened to know that despite the team being broken into two groups for two separate friendly matches played on Friday, the differences in the ‘first’ and ‘reserved’ sides are almost negligible.
Seated just behind the technical bench, which is very close to the action, you could see the immense potential in these youngsters backed by their own way of coaching.
A player on the ball is often being coached by his nearest colleagues- ‘touch back’, ‘behind you’, ‘turn’, ‘you’re alone’, ‘shoot’ are the jargons often used.
The coach also does his bit by occasionally scolding a player whose instantaneous decision might have disrupted the team’s build up, robbed the side off possession or saw the miss of a glorious scoring opportunity.
Coach Zito (middle) flanked by his assistants
From the sheer speed and power on the flanks by Adam Saad, the directness of Salim Yusif Giabo, Abdul Samed with his obvious naivety but flashes of brilliance, Simon Asamoah Appiah’s vision and the swift movement and silky touches of Emmanuel Bio, Ghana has another generation of pure gold in talent to rave about.
It is however not all that rosy with the Black Starlets – the team’s average size especially in the sensitive departments; central defence, midfield and attack give cause for concerns.
The very important role of a holding midfielder is entrusted to Eugene Adjei Frimpong who despite with tons of energy, lacks the physical presence required for the position.
If Ghana comes up against a team with better physique as they did against Mali in the finals of the 2017 U17 AFCON, we are most certain to come up second best.
Assistant coach Yaw Preko leading the halftime team talk
Also, the profligacy rate of the team is abnormal.
The boys can play, no two ways about that. But to cut it at this level, they will need to be very productive. They must find a way of making all their fancy football and multiple opportunities count where it matters most.
Coach Karim Zito with his tons of experience knows all too well he will need to improve on these areas of his team which opens a little window of opportunity for other players who have not had the chance yet to come into the picture.
But with just over a month to the U17 African Cup qualifying tournament, Ghanaians should be happy of how the Black Starlets are shaping up.
With a few corrections, well, we could just be in for another marauding generation of juveniles who will surely take the world by storm.
By Ameenu Shardow, follow on Twitter @alooameenu
