Ghana U17 to face Ivory Coast in double-header friendlies ahead of AFCON

Ghana’s U17 side will face Ivory Coast in a double-header international friendly as part of preparations for the U17 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.

The matches will be played at the Alassane Ouattara Stadium, with the first fixture scheduled for Tuesday, 28 April and the second on Friday, 1 May.

The Black Starlets are expected to depart Ghana on 26 April for Abidjan before travelling on to Ebimpe, where both games will take place.

Head coach Prosper Narteh Ogum says the friendlies will offer a strong test for his side ahead of the tournament.

“These matches are very important for us at this stage of our preparation. We need strong opposition to properly assess the team and make the right adjustments before the tournament,” he said.

“Playing Ivory Coast away gives us a real competitive edge. It will test our mentality, our structure and our ability to cope under pressure.”

Ogum added that the fixtures will also influence his final squad selection and tactical approach.

“This is an opportunity for the players to prove themselves. We are looking at consistency, discipline and how well they execute our game plan. It’s about building a team that can compete at the highest level.”

Ghana have been drawn in Group D alongside Senegal, Algeria and South Africa, with expectations high as they aim to make an impact and push for qualification to the global stage.