Black Starlets of Ghana deputy coach, Yaw Preko, believes Cote d’Ivoire will be a huge threat to his outfit in their quest to book a place in the of the final of the WAFU U-17 Zone B Championship on Wednesday.
Both sides are scheduled to play in the semifinal of the ongoing competition in Niger and coach Preko said after watching previous games of the Ivoirians, he was of the opinion that the French-speaking country could derail Ghana's ambition should they underestimate them.
The former Inter Allies gaffer who spoke in an interview ahead of Wednesday’s game against Cote d’Ivoire said they had device good plans to counter them because Ghana are well prepared for this game.
“They are a threat but we have watched their match and we are prepared for them. They also see us as a threat because of the way we put pressure on Togo to win, I’m sure they would also say Ghana is a threat” the assistant coach stated.
Preko, a graduate of Starlets 1991 also described the Nigeria team as one of the strongest teams in the competition so far but was looking forward to meeting the Flying Eaglets in the final.
“So far, the Nigeria side is the only well-organised team in the competition, so far they have played good football. But if we meet them it would be a different ball game altogether” the assistant coach noted.
Recalling their previous games, the 44-year-old former Ghanaian international who was also part of Ghana’s Olympic team in Barcelona 1992, described their game against Niger as the toughest game so far because most of the players were playing international competition for the first time.
“The game against Niger was most difficult but as for the game against Togo, we created a lot of chances. Our game against Niger was the first international game for most of our players and the fans were behind the host."
"After the game, the player admitted they were nervous by the loud chants in the stands” he noted.