Former Ghana international, Laryea Kingston, has apologised for the manner he announced his resignation as head coach of the Black Starlets.

Kingston stepped down from his role as the gaffer following their defeat to Burkina Faso in the semifinal of the ongoing WAFU B U-17 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers last Saturday.

Following the loss, the former Black Stars winger made public his decision to resign during his post-match press conference adding his reasons would come later.

His decision raised questions and called for a response from the Ghana Football Association (GFA), who noted his resignation.

Kingston has now issued an official statement apologising for the way he handled the situation.

"My attention has been drawn to conversations and counter arguments in favour and against last Saturday, 25th May announcement that I would leave my role as coach of Ghana’s U17, the Black Starlets after a disappointing WAFU tournament in Accra," the letter released on Tuesday, May 28 read.

"My position was clear then and remains that having failed to reach the final of the tournament, which serves as an automatic qualification to the CAF U17 African Championship and a route to the FIFA World
Cup, I believe we fell short of our objectives, and as the leader of the team, I take full responsibility and sincerely apologize for letting down everyone who has been negatively impacted by this.

"I have been overwhelmed by the support, prayer and well wishes this current Ghana U17 team has generated in the media and the public discourse. I realized that the reasons for the immense support have largely been because of the work the technical team, which I am privileged to lead the past few months, our playing style and the commitment of the players to change the narrative about Ghana’s U17 teams’ recent history.

"I apologize unreservedly for our failure to pay back the trust, love and support we have graciously received from Ghanaians. We worked very hard for several weeks for the chance to reach the final of the WAFU tournament to compete for the ultimate prize, but it was not to be.

"Concerning any other issue about my personal conduct, with suggestions that I abandoned the team following last Saturday’s semi final defeat to Burkina Faso, I state unmistakably, that my announcement during the post-match press conference was without ambiguity that my role as coach with the team ends after the tournament. I will not conduct myself in anyway that undermines the respect and support Ghanaians have given me and this team.

"To the President and the Exco, I also want to unreservedly and sincerely apologize for any misunderstanding, inconvenience and embarrassment my decision to announce my resignation last Saturday caused.

"After careful consideration, I could have handled things better and this will be guiding experience for me going forward.

"I love my nation, I served my nation as a player, and I have been serving my nation as a coach.

"I cherish the opportunity given me by the GFA and the support of Ghanaians from all walks of life, my technical teammates, and the talented players that I work with.

"We look forward to finishing the tournament in the strongest way by beating our rivals, Nigeria to win bronze. Thank you."

The Black Starlets will face the Eaglets of Nigeria on Tuesday, May 28, in the third-place playoff game at the University of Ghana.