It’s sunset in Cairo on the 21st of September 1997. With just 3 minutes to go, the score is locked at 1-1 between Ghana and Brazil in the final of the FIFA U-17 World Cup.

Then, Brazilian wonderkid and soon to be Balon Dor winner, Ronaldinho, picks up the ball and threads an inch perfect pass to teammate, Andrey, who scores the winner to break Ghanaian hearts. 

On the bench for Ghana that day is a certain 16 year old midfielder by name Laryea Kingston.

He doesn’t get his chance on that night in Cairo, but goes on to enjoy a stellar professional career, where he represents Ghana’s senior national team, the Black Stars, on forty-two (42) different occasions, featuring in two Africa Cup of Nations - in 2006 and 2008.

Twenty seven (27) years on from representing the Black Starlets at the World Cup, Kingston, is now preparing to qualify the new generation of Ghana’s U-17 stars for the global stage, this time, as head coach. 

“It’s a privilege to be part of those leading this team and I see the hunger in the group,” Kingston tells Joy Sports. 

“The feeling as a player is different from what one feels on the outside. 

But my advantage as a manager is that I’ve been there before. 

“I have a better understanding of how and what the players are feeling and that helps a lot.”

It’s been 7 years since the Black Starlets made it to the FIFA U-17 World Cup, and this is the ultimate goal of Laryea Kingston and his technical team. That journey begins with the WAFU Zone B U17 competition which Ghana hosts. 

The Starlets have been preparing for the competition since November 2023, with a recent trip to Russia for an invitational UEFA youth competition, the latest in their hawkish preparation. 

“The players are at a very good level now. All they need now is motivation ahead of the competition.

“We’ve now lost just once in 14 outings, conceding just 12 and scoring 46 times. We’ve been beaten just once, by Russia, so I believe in the boys and I can’t wait for the competition to start.”

Ghana will kick start the tournament with a game against Cote D’Ivoire on May 15 at the University of Ghana Stadium, before taking on Benin days later in their final group game.

The tournament serves as qualification to the U-17 AFCON, which will qualify the team to the FIFA U-17 World Cup if results go their way. 

For Kingston, style also plays a major factor in his coaching principles. He wants his team to not just play to win, but also to entertain. 

The Ghana Football Association’s newly launched handbook has also played a huge role in defining that style. The ‘agoro’, which means to play or playful, is the tag given to Ghana’s unique attacking style. 

“Ghana football has flourished in the past with the ‘agoro’ style and you see elements of that in my team. 

“I want everyone watching from afar to see a defined identity from my team, and the agro is something you’ll see when you watch my team.” 

Making the transition from playing to coaching hasn’t always proven to be the easiest thing, but Kingston would be hoping his time on the sidelines is as successful as his days on the field.