Laryea Kingston hails ‘Impressive’ Ivorian team despite dominant 5-1 victory in the WAFU B U-17 Championship

Black Starlets head coach Laryea Kingston commends the challenging opposition following their 5-1 triumph over Ivory Coast in the WAFU B U-17 Championship, acknowledging the difficulty his team faced in asserting themselves on the field.

In his post-match remarks, Kingston lauds the tactical prowess of the Ivorian technical staff, recognizing their strategic approach that hindered the Black Starlets’ possession game.

“It’s a victory we celebrate today, but it was far from an easy match. The Ivorians proved to be a formidable side,” Kingston remarks, giving credit to the opposing technical team for their effective tactics that disrupted their usual gameplay.

He adds, “We pride ourselves on ball possession, but the Ivorians’ style of play posed significant challenges, making it tough for us to retain control.”

“Adaptability is crucial. While we had a game plan in place, we adjusted our approach to counter their strategy and limit their space on the pitch.”

Despite the formidable opposition, Ghana took the lead with Joseph Narbi scoring twice in the first half, securing a 2-0 advantage before halftime.

In the second half, Ghana extended their lead with goals from Godfred Sarpong and Harve Gbafa, further solidifying their dominance. Although Ivory Coast managed a consolation goal, Mark Kagawa Mensah sealed the victory with Ghana’s fifth goal in extra time.