Ghana readies for Sierra Leonean challenge

This is another important stage in the qualifying campaign for places at the 2015 African Youth Championship as Ghana ready for the second-round stage. Sierra Leonean

After drawing a bye at the first round, the Black Satellites enter the fray as 28 teams push for places in the last round.

Ghana, three-time winners of the Championship and silver-medalists at the previous finals face a tricky first leg against Sierra Leone on Saturday in Bo, the second largest city.

For Black Satellites coach, Sellas Tetteh, the fixture against the Shooting Stars represents a big challenge to his sides hopes of reaching the finals in Senegal next year.

Tetteh admits that any side will be eager to spoil the party as he demands total focus from the Black Satellites in their bid to navigate their way to the last round of qualifying.

“After drawing a bye, we now get to test ourselves against another contender for a place in the finals,” Tetteh said.

“It’s a big challenge and we must approach it with caution. They will have the home support but we must stick to our plan and see how it takes us.”

The Ghanaian coach, a World Cup winner is keen to see his side get off to a good start ahead of the return leg back home.

“Our concentration is just on this game. Ghana’s past successes will count for nothing in this game. We have to try and create our own piece of history,” said the Black Satellites coach.

The winners of the two-leg tie will advance to the final round of the qualifying series where 14 teams will compete for the seven slots available at the finals to be staged by Senegal next year.