Sellas Tetteh hopes the experience gained from playing in the senior team by some players would rob off the remaining squad and aid the Black Satellites’ challenge for success.
Ghana’s Under-20 squad at the World Youth Championship has five players who have all had stints with the senior side – the Black Stars.
Samuel Inkoom and Opoku Agyemang - both regulars with the Black Stars - alongside captain Andre Ayew, Jonathan Mensah and Gladson Awako have all enjoyed playing time with the senior team.
Team coach Sellas Tetteh believes he has good group who can push for the title.
“I have been impressed by the performances of all my players. These are young players with quality.
“We know the quality they possess and at this stage, they would be pushing hard even though they have more years ahead to improve. They are not finished, they can improve,” Sellas Tetteh told www.ghanafa.org.
But as Ghana goes challenging at the Championship which starts Thursday in Egypt, the Black Satellites coach is counting on the experiences picked while playing for the senior team to make a significant difference.
“Whenever a youngster makes the grade to play with the seniors and he does well, it really helps their confidence.
“Playing alongside players of that caliber and that standard really improves them. We have been watching them and know how they have improved recently and also how good they can become.
“For us, it’s a good thing to have players who have played at that level to be part of our team. They would bring their experience to bear. They understand the pressures and demands of such competitions.
“It can only be good for the team to have them around.
“You would agree with me that players like Inkoom (Samuel) and Agyemang (Opoku) have recently been playing with much confidence. Others in the squad have also benefited from that experience and we think it is good for everyone in the squad,” he added.
The Black Satellites open their Group D account against Asian qualifiers Uzbekistan on Saturday, September 26 in Ismailia.
Ghana is seeking to lay claim to their first title at this level after twice finishing as runners up but will enter the competition as African Champions having claimed continental glory early this year.