Sheikh Tophic Abdul-Kadir Sienu believes the Black Starlets can still rescue their campaign and qualify for the FIFA U-17 World Cup despite their disappointing exit from the knockout stage of the U-17 AFCON.
Ghana endured a difficult start to the tournament after drawing 2-2 with Algeria and suffering a narrow 1-0 defeat to Senegal.
Those results left the Black Starlets under pressure heading into their final group match against South Africa, where they responded with a convincing 3-1 victory to keep their hopes alive.
Despite the win, Ghana missed out on automatic qualification after losing a ballot to Algeria.
Sheikh Tophic admitted luck had not been on Ghana’s side during parts of the tournament but insisted the team remains grateful and determined ahead of the playoff against Uganda.
“I feel luck has eluded us in some moments during this competition, but we still remain grateful to the Almighty for how far we have come,” he said.
The Black Starlets will now battle Uganda, coached by former Ghana international Laryea Kingston, for one of the remaining African tickets to the World Cup in Qatar.