U-17 AFCON: Prosper Narteh Ogum hails 'highly competitive' Group D ahead of opener against Algeria

Black Starlets head coach Prosper Narteh Ogum has described Group D of the U-17 Africa Cup of Nations as one of the most demanding sections of the tournament, insisting that all four teams have earned their place at the competition.

Ghana have been drawn alongside Senegal, Algeria and South Africa in a tightly balanced group that promises a fierce battle for qualification, with each side carrying strong pedigree at youth level.

"It is definitely a very competitive group because all four teams deserve to be here and have quality. Senegal won the tournament in 2023, Algeria are very organised and South Africa also have a strong football culture. But at this stage of the competition, there are no easy games," Ogum told CAFOnline.

Despite acknowledging the difficulty of the group, the Black Stars coach maintained that his team remains focused and confident in their preparation, stressing the need for consistency and discipline.

"We respect every opponent, but we also believe in our own quality and preparation. Our focus is to take one match at a time and give our best in every game."

Ghana begin their campaign against Algeria tonight at the Mohammed VI Football Academy, with kick-off scheduled for 19:00 GMT.

The Black Starlets will be aiming to make a strong start as they look to navigate a challenging group stage and build momentum in their quest for a deep run in the tournament.