By: Kwame Bediako
Ghana’s focus on youth football development is gaining momentum as the national U-16 male team prepares for international exposure.
The squad will assemble at the Ghanaman Soccer Centre of Excellence in Prampram on May 6, 2025, to begin intensive training ahead of the prestigious Guadeloupe U-16 Invitational Tournament. The initiative reflects Ghana’s commitment to nurturing young talent and providing a global platform for players to showcase their skills.
The upcoming training camp follows a comprehensive talent identification programme held at the Glow Lamp Soccer Academy in April. The exercise, part of a strategic approach to scouting the best young players, was aimed at forming a competitive team capable of facing some of the world’s top youth sides.
The team will be led by former Ghana international Nii Odartey Lamptey, who will serve as Head Coach. He will be supported by assistant coaches John Oppong Welbeck and Awudu Issaka. Their combined expertise is expected to strengthen the squad’s tactical preparation and overall readiness for the tournament, which kicks off on 25 May in Guadeloupe.
The Guadeloupe U-16 Invitational Tournament is recognised as one of the top youth football competitions worldwide, featuring strong teams from countries such as Mexico, France, Brazil, Ivory Coast, and Togo. For Ghana’s young players, the tournament presents a rare opportunity to gain international experience, test their abilities, and build the foundation for future senior team roles.
This initiative forms part of the Ghana Football Association’s broader youth development strategy, which prioritises early international exposure, structured training, and competitive match experience.
The camp represents a significant step in Ghana’s long-term vision of building a sustainable pipeline of talent for the national team.
