Ghana’s Under-17 coach Paa Kwesi Fabin claims the physique of their opponents at the African Junior Championship contributed immensely to their early exit.
The Black Starlets were paired with Nigeria, Ivory Coast and Congo but managed two draws and a defeat to finish third place in Group B.
Coach Fabin says his charges were “in top shape” ahead of the tournament in Morocco but got frightened with the stature of their opponents.
“Our opponents were bigger and stronger than our boys. In football it is not all about talent, but strength and the boys were surprised when they saw their opponents,” Fabin told Accra-based Joy FM.
He also attributed their exit to complacency.
“We were in top shape beating every team in Italy and the scouts were swamped all over our boys.
“The boys were so confident but then we were brought down in our first game and that thought us a lesson that you don’t have to be over confident going into a tournament but rather tread cautiously and then prepare psychologically and mentality to be able to play in such tournaments,” Fabin noted.
He added: “In Italy people were showering praises on our boys that they have never seen such an impressive youth team like that and I believe that got into their heads.”
Ghana’s Under-17 coach Paa Kwesi Fabin claims the physique of their opponents at the African Junior Championship contributed immensely to their early exit.
The Black Starlets were paired with Nigeria, Ivory Coast and Congo but managed two draws and a defeat to finish third place in Group B.
Coach Fabin says his charges were “in top shape” ahead of the tournament in Morocco but got frightened with the stature of their opponents.
“Our opponents were bigger and stronger than our boys. In football it is not all about talent, but strength and the boys were surprised when they saw their opponents,” Fabin told Accra-based Joy FM.
He also attributed their exit to complacency.
“We were in top shape beating every team in Italy and the scouts were swamped all over our boys.
“The boys were so confident but then we were brought down in our first game and that thought us a lesson that you don’t have to be over confident going into a tournament but rather tread cautiously and then prepare psychologically and mentality to be able to play in such tournaments,” Fabin noted.
He added: “In Italy people were showering praises on our boys that they have never seen such an impressive youth team like that and I believe that got into their heads.”
