Fabin wary of South African threat

Samuel Paa Kwesi Fabin, Head Coach of Black Starlets has tasked his players to finish off their qualification for the 2013 Africa U-17 Championships in grand style.

The Starlets, 3-2 winners in the first leg face the Amajimbos of South Africa on Saturday in Sekondi in the final lap to the continental event and Fabin insists the journey is far from over.


“We are not there yet. Football is full of uncertainties and we need to tighten up for the second leg. Also, we must play a better game.”


Fabin, who has stints with Asante Kotoko and Hearts of Oak is very much aware of the threat by the South Africans, despite going into the return encounter with a lone goal advantage.


“They have a very good team and have good passers of the ball. They are technically disciplined and we expect a tough test from them. With that, we are preparing seriously to seal our qualification for the African Championship.”


The Starlets coach is also in no mood to fail his first test for the job which has qualification for the eight-team African championship as the objective. Ghana was absent at the last two editions in 2009 (Algeria) and 2011 (Rwanda).

“It means as a whole lot because we (technical team) were tasked with qualifying for the African Championships as the team had failed in recent past. We are on course and we are looking forward to qualifying for the World Cup as well.”


Fabin recognizes that his has been fueled by the desire of the players to make a mark in their careers.


“For my players, the will to make a name has been the driving force. They want to go far in their career. The Black Starlets has served a stepping stone for many players in the past and they want to follow suit.”


The winner of the tie qualifies for the African U-17 Championship scheduled for 13-27 April in Morocco.


The semi finalists at the 14-day event will represent the continent at the FIFA U-17 World Cup in the United Arab Emirates in October.