Black Starlets head coach Dr. Prosper Narteh Ogum is redefining youth football preparation in Ghana, implementing a two-tiered strategy that combines rigorous on-field training with targeted video analysis ahead of the WAFU Zone B U17 Championship opener against Togo.

The team, currently camped in Yamoussoukro, Ivory Coast, has been sharpening its tactical edge through sessions focused on defensive compactness, tracking off-the-ball runs, and expansive possession play. But Ogum’s approach goes beyond the pitch.

“Today, we’ll have a video session. Take them through some of the things that they need to know,” Ogum told GFA Communications.

Rather than introducing new tactical elements, Ogum is using video sessions to reinforce existing concepts. His philosophy is clear: clarity and confidence come from repetition and understanding.

“This is not the time to introduce new variables. It’s going to be a revision of the things they’ve gone through,” he emphasized.

This method ensures players not only execute tactics physically but also process them mentally—an essential balance in youth tournaments where quick decision-making and spatial awareness are critical.

Ogum’s dual-pronged strategy reflects a broader shift in Ghana’s youth football development, where cognitive training is now seen as equally vital as physical conditioning. By helping players visualize patterns and scenarios they’ve practiced, the Black Starlets are better equipped to adapt under pressure and make intelligent in-game choices.

Ghana opens its campaign against Togo on Saturday, September 20 at the Charles Konan Banny Stadium. Drawn in Group A, the Starlets will also face hosts Ivory Coast and Niger in what promises to be a fiercely competitive qualifying tournament for the 2025 U-17 Africa Cup of Nations.

With Ogum at the helm and a modern preparation blueprint in place, Ghana’s young talents are not just physically ready—they’re mentally primed to reclaim continental dominance.