Ghana coach Fabin cautions fans ahead of U-17 World Cup

Ghana coach Samuel Paa Kwasi Fabin wants expectations for his side measured as the 2017 Fifa Under-17 World Cup gets underway on Friday.

An impressive showing at the African championship in May has lifted beliefs about the team’s chances at the global showpiece, despite losing to Mali in the final.

At India 2017, Ghana, who are set to return to the world gathering for the first time since 2007, have drawn the hosts, together with Concacaf runners-up the USA and Conmebol fourth-placed outfit Colombia.

“I don't like it when people try to put pressure on the boys,” Fabin said on GHOne TV.

“When you talk about the U-17 tournament, you're talking about developing players for the future than aiming for the trophy.

“I was so delighted to see five of my players from the 2013 squad handed call-ups into the senior national team; it's great, it means one thing - which is development.

“This is the notion behind what we're building.”

Ghana open their campaign against Colombia on Friday before taking on the USA and India on October 9 and 12 respectively.

The Black Starlets are looking to win the World Cup for the third time in history, having claimed gold at Italy 1991 and Ecuador 1995.

Their last appearance at South Korea 2007 ended in a third-place playoff defeat to Germany.