Preko confident of qualification despite Himalayan task at Gabon

Ghana U20 assistant trainer Yaw Preko is optimistic about his side’s chances of reaching next year’s African Youth Championship.

The Gabonese are heavy favourites to qualify ahead of the 2009 world champions, having come returned from Ghana with a favourable 0-0 stalemate from the first-leg almost a fortnight ago.

Ghana must win the tie in Libreville or at least manage a scoring draw to reach the Senegal finals. And, Preko, a former Ghana star, is confident the Black Satellites will push through.

“We can see the boys are in good shape for the game and I’m confident we will pull through,” he told Accra-based Oman FM.

Head coach Sellas Tetteh has named a strong 18-man squad for the trip with King Faisal goal-scoring prodigy Sulley Mohammed recovering injury to make the squad.

“We’ve to make the transit in Lome by bus and continue by flight,” Preko revealed.

Ghana have played in all past three editions of the African Youth Championship, reaching the medal zone twice.