Ghana’s National Men’s Under 17 Football Team, the Black Starlets, showed appreciation for departing head coach Laryea Kingston.
During the bronze medal match against Nigeria at the WAFU Under 17 Football Championship, the team wore jerseys with touching tributes to their departing coach as a gesture of appreciation and gratitude.
The gesture came after Herve Gbarfa’s goal gave Ghana a 2-1 lead in the 28th minute at the University of Ghana Stadium in Legon.
Ernest Ofori was captured pointing to captain Benjamin Tsivanyo, “We love You LK 7” message beneath his jersey while celebrating the goal.
Although Nigeria ultimately won the game 3-2, both teams have already qualified for the AFCON, pending FIFA’s decision on the number of participating teams due to changes in the Under 17 World Cup format.
The players’ tribute marked a sentimental farewell to Kingston, who left his role as head coach.
In a surprise move, Laryea Kingston, a former Black Stars player, stepped down as head coach of the Black Starlets immediately after Ghana’s 2-1 semifinal loss to Burkina Faso.
This resignation comes at a time when Ghana has been absent from the Under 17 World Cup stage since 2017, a drought that the team had hoped to break under Kingston’s leadership.