Black Starlets media officer Sheikh Tophic has admitted that Ghana’s decisive playoff clash against Uganda for a place at the FIFA U-17 World Cup carries significant emotional weight due to the connection with Uganda coach Laryea Kingston.
Ghana booked a playoff spot at the ongoing U-17 Africa Cup of Nations after defeating South Africa 3-1 in their final Group D match, although the victory was not enough to secure qualification to the knockout stage.
Despite their group-stage exit, the Black Starlets remain firmly focused on achieving their ultimate objective of qualifying for the FIFA U-17 World Cup.
Speaking ahead of the encounter, Sheikh Tophic acknowledged the emotional nature of the fixture but expressed confidence in the team’s readiness to rise to the occasion.
“To be very sincere with you, this is a fixture [Ghana vs Uganda] that I wish had never happened,” he said.
“I feel that it’s going to be a crack of a game. It’s a game that will leave you with a lot of memories.”
Tophic highlighted the unique dynamics surrounding the contest, noting that several players in the current Ghana squad previously worked under Kingston and will be motivated to showcase their development.
“We have a couple of players who played under Laryea who are still with the team currently. They also have to prove a point,” he said.
“They have to show what they learned from that time and combine it with what they have been currently taught under Ogum.”
The Black Starlets spokesman remains optimistic that the players will deliver when it matters most.
“I believe when the time comes to show working, they will be able to stand tall for Ghana,” he added.
The playoff encounter is scheduled to kick off at 19:00 GMT, with a place at the FIFA U-17 World Cup at stake.
