Laryea Kingston, the head coach of the Ghana U-17 team, has issued a warning against celebrating too soon after his team’s convincing victory in the opening WAFU B U-17 Cup of Nations match.

At the University of Ghana Stadium, the Black Starlets defeated Cote d’Ivoire 5-1 to start the season.

With the victory, the Black Starlets set the stage for their quest to make it to the U-17 Africa Cup of Nations for the first time since 2017.

The gaffer wants Ghanaians to hold off celebrating, even though Kingston is receiving praise quickly.

“It’s too early to celebrate. Too early. For us, we are taking it one game at a time,” said the former Ghana international.

“It’s true that since 2017 we have not enjoyed what we are good at. Previously our youth teams were very good. It’s something that Ghanaians are craving for. I will always thank the FA for believing in me, and for calling me to come down from Denmark to take this team.

“The first day I came to Ghana, my aim was to change the narrative, meaning qualifying the team [for the first time] since 2017.”

Ghana last competed in the AFCON in 2017, where they lost to Mali in the championship match and finished in second place.

The Black Starlets’ next match is scheduled for Tuesday, May 21, against Benin.