Tetteh bent on making a case

Accra, Aug. 1, GNA - Head coach of the National Under-17 team, the Black Starlets, Sellas Tetteh has said he is bent on making a case for himself as he leads the team to the World Under-17 championship. Speaking to the GNA Sports, the coach described the task of handling the team as challenging but that it provides him the opportunity to enhance his profile as one of the budding coaches in the system. Coach Tetteh is of the view that a good performance at the championship will place him on a good pedestal for bigger challenges as well as open the doors for other younger coaches to come to the limelight.

The coach who was in charge of the 2002 Black Starlets team that failed to secure a place in Africa Championship, said the terrain has changed and he sees the present atmosphere very conducive for him to excel.

Coach Tetteh added that he has over the past years' learnt his lessons and has acquired enough knowledge that is capable of him taking up the challenge.

"A lot of factors worked against me in 2002 but I think things are better these days, that is why I'm confident of making a better impact in the championship despite the limited time at my disposal".

Coach Tetteh referred to the use of over-aged players by some opponents as one of the factors, which he said worked against his team then and felt vindicated by a subsequent ban placed on the East Africans by the Confederation of Africa Football (CAF) for the same crime. Touching on the strength of the team, he expressed confidence in the ability of the players to deliver since they have been made to work extra hard and deserve a better placing.

The coach however refused to make any predictions on the chances of the team in the competition. The Starlets will be playing alongside Germany, Columbia and Trinidad and Tobago. The team left for Japan on Tuesday to continue with their preparations.