Ghana’s Black Starlets coach Dr. Prosper Narteh Ogum has offered perception into the system behind his staff’s 2-0 semi ultimate conquer Nigeria’s Golden Eaglets. In keeping with Ogum, the victory resulted from a mix of cautious tactical planning and a powerful mentality to beat a well-recognized and formidable foe.
Ogum disclosed that Ghana’s teaching staff focused Nigeria’s captain, aiming to restrict his affect on the sport. In doing so, they hoped to disrupt Nigeria’s rhythm and scale back inventive shops. The coach additionally asserted that psychological preparation was essential: he says the gamers had been drilled to stay centered for the complete 90 minutes, and to keep away from conceding early on account of sloppy errors—an issue Ghana had confronted in earlier matches.
He underlined that their strategy was borne out of pragmatism relatively than aptitude—emphasising construction, self-discipline, and sport consciousness over aesthetics. Ogum praised his aspect’s composure beneath strain, particularly on condition that each objectives got here within the first half, when Nigeria may need been anticipated to dominate momentum.
Wanting ahead to the ultimate, Ogum remarked that Ghana could be a “completely different” staff in opposition to Côte d’Ivoire. He instructed changes could be made tactically, and that mentality, character, and structural tweaks would assist stop a repeat of their 3-0 defeat to Ivory Coast within the group stage.
Notably, Ghana’s development to the WAFU ultimate additionally secures them one of many two slots allotted to WAFU-B for the 2026 U-17 AFCON in Morocco.
Thus, Ogum’s reflections spotlight each chess-level planning and psychological readiness as key drivers of Ghana’s success.
