African Dream

It's their seventh FIFA U-17 World Championship and Ghana have one very clear goal: to get back to winning ways after a few years in the wilderness. Twice triumphant in six finals contested and third placed on one occasion, the Black Starlets will definitely be among the favourites to lift the world crown in the category.

The Ghanaians earned their ticket to Peru by reaching the African U-17 Championship final last May. That match was lost in controversial circumstances to the host country Gambia and has left a feeling of unfinished business that brought the normally reserved coach David Duncan out of his shell: "We will prove in Peru that we are the best!" Ghana's initial opponents at the tournament are now known, namely the redoubtable Chinese, host country Peru and unknowns Costa Rica, in Group A.

Lima National Staduim brights with new Grass

Former international peruvian striker Teofilo Cubillas spoke about the new artificial grass placed in Lima's National Staduim, to be used int the FIFA U-17 World Youth Championship. "Our main soccer field looks like one of the best fields in the world. I'm proud of that".

"It's still too early to judge the new field. It needs more matches to settle down the sand and rubber mixture." Said the peruvian forward who played at Fort Lauderdale Strikers. Like they have been doing in the USA - and recently in Europe - this new technology will help the players to improve their performance and reduce the injuries risk."

The "Nene" added: "Any player who had the chance to play on an artificial soccer field can tell the difference. It's very good for our country that, after this World Youth Championship, we'll be able to play on surfaces used only in the best stadiums of the world".