We are not going to the U-17 World Cup to tour India- Goalkeeper Ibrahim Danlad

pulse-ghana admin

September 15, 2017 10:16 AM

The Young Shot stopper states his side aims at winning the 2017 U-17 World Cup and are not there for mere participation

The Black Starlets are currently in Asia preparing for the U-17 World Cup in India. The tournament starts on the 6th of October, 2017.

Ibrahim Danlad is the goalkeeper of the U-17 national team and he spoke to Kwese Sports before embarking on the expedition to India with his youth teammates.

The 14 year old goalkeeper first spoke on the experience and what it means to be a goalkeeper of a National team.

“Being a national player is not easy. Looking at that the population of over 27 million in Ghana and you have been selected to be in the national team is not easy.”

“That alone even motivates me a lot.

“Even making the first choice goalkeeper is not easy. You train, play matches every day, correct mistakes and also do many things in camp. I feel proud to be the no 1 goal keeper of the Black Starlets.”

Ghana lost in the final of the African Youth Championship in Gabon to Mali through a rebound by Mamadou Samake after Danlad saved Sekou Camara’s spot kick.

Danlad reflected on the goal and did concede that the one goal he conceded was as a result of a mistake he did.

“The goal Mali scored was through a mistake I did. The moment I saved the penalty I started thinking for the oncoming player and that is why he scored the goal.” It will only take a technical eye to see this.”

“My coach told me that we have done a lot but some petty mistakes need to be corrected and I think we have corrected them.”

The Black Starlets qualified to the World Cup by virtue of advancing past the group stage. Ibrahim now reflects on what the 2017 U-17 World Cup means to him and his teammates.

“It is a very big platform for us. The whole world is going to look at us and we have to try our possible best to showcase our talent.

“It is a very hot stage but we believe in ourselves that we can do it.”

This very submission Danlad hints at his side looking forward to go all the way and end up champions. The young Kumasi Asante Kotoko goalkeeper talks further of his sides’ ambition to bring the U-17 World Cup Trophy back home.

“That is our target. It is to bring the ultimate to Ghana and that is why are working hard. We are not going to just go look at India and return. We are going there for the trophy and that is our target now.”

He also hinted that his team are going to take it stage by stage before eventually annexing the trophy.

“Every target we have a step by step target. First we aim at qualifying from the group. Secondly we aim at making the semifinals and then we aim at finally making the finals.” We will then and pray our target will finally be met.”

Ghana are grouped with Colombia, Usa and host nation India in Group A.

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