Newly appointed Black Starlets head coach, Stephen Frimpong Manso, has declared his commitment to securing Ghana's return to the FIFA Under-17 World Cup after a seven-year absence.

The Starlets last competed in the global tournament in 2017, reaching the quarter-final stage.

Frimpong Manso, an experienced tactician, is no stranger to the team, having served as both assistant and head coach in the past. He now embarks on his third tenure with the side, determined to bring success back to the once-formidable team.

“This is my third stint with the Starlets,” he told ghanafa.org. “It’s a difficult job, but I’m ready to go the extra mile. We need to unearth the best talents and build a competitive team capable of qualifying for the World Cup.”

The coach acknowledged the immense challenge of rebuilding the team, especially with player selection being a critical factor.

“At the U-17 level, we have to scout far and wide, including at the grassroots, where there are many talented but unregistered players. Screening alone will take time, but it’s a necessary step to get the right materials,” Frimpong Manso explained.

He also reflected on the team’s recent struggles, including three consecutive failures to qualify for the U-17 Africa Cup of Nations, pledging to address the issues that derailed previous campaigns.

“We need to identify what went wrong and fix it. My experience will guide us in avoiding those pitfalls,” he added.

MRI challenge

On the controversial MRI age verification system, Frimpong Manso noted its impact on player selection.

“I believe the system promotes fairness, but it’s not entirely foolproof. Some players older than 17 still pass, while others just on the cusp fail. Nonetheless, we’ll work within the system and stay focused on building a solid squad,” he remarked.

The path to the World Cup won’t be easy, with Ghana competing in the highly competitive WAFU Zone B qualifiers against regional heavyweights like Nigeria, Côte d’Ivoire, and Burkina Faso.

“Nigeria and Ghana have both won multiple U-17 World Cups, while Côte d’Ivoire and Burkina Faso are strong contenders.

Unfortunately, the current format pits us against each other early, which isn’t ideal for West African countries. Still, we must rise to the challenge,” the coach stated.

Frimpong Manso is optimistic about his partnership with assistants Nana Agyemang and Jacob Nettey, underlining the importance of teamwork and trust.

“They’ve pledged their support, and I believe trust is key. Without it, we can’t work effectively. This is a collective effort, and we must foster a united front to succeed,” he emphasised.

Unified philosophy

The coach revealed plans to adopt Ghana Football DNA principles in shaping the team’s playing style, ensuring consistency across the national teams.

“I’ll align with the GFA’s guidelines to ensure seamless player transitions from the junior teams to the senior sides. This shared philosophy will strengthen our overall system,” he explained.

While Frimpong Manso values player development, he insists that achieving tangible results remains a priority.

“Qualifying for tournaments and winning titles are just as important as development. Ghanaians expect success on the pitch, and that’s what I’m here to deliver,” he declared.

With a wealth of experience spanning stints with the Black Starlets, Black Meteors, and several clubs, including Asante Kotoko and Stade d’Abidjan, Frimpong Manso’s appointment brings renewed hope to Ghana’s U-17 team.

His mission: to reclaim the glory days and secure a place on the world stage.