Laryea Kingston apologises after Black Starlets snub

Former Coach of Ghana’s Black Starlets, Laryea Kingston, has acknowledged complete accountability for the team’s inability to advance to the finals of the WAFU Zone B U-17 Championship.

Laryea further expressed genuine regret for disappointing everyone involved.

Following the team’s defeat against Burkina, Kingston tendered his resignation during the post-match press briefing.

In a latest press statement, he stated, “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”.

Read the full statement below:

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.

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 semifinal 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 any way 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.