Let's ensure a successful WAFU tournament

 Let's ensure a successful WAFU tournament. Starting tomorrow, 15 nations will compete in this year's WAFU Cup of Nations in Ghana at the Cape Coast Stadium and the Nduom Stadium in Elmina. All eyes will be on the Black Stars B to restore Ghanaian pride. Because it was held at a time when the Ghana Premier League was in its final stages and generating a lot of excitement among fans, the tournament's timing has been criticized by many.

Yet, anything the analysis concerning its pertinence and timing, the competition gives a fine an open door to the locally established public group to eradicate the mistake among Ghanaians after the Dark Stars passed up the following year's African Countries Title (CHAN) in Kenya. The GFA President, Kwesi Nyantakyi, has taken an individual interest in the tournament by ensuring that it is very successful in his capacity as head of the WAFU Zone B. In fact, he personally oversaw the match venue inspection to ensure that Ghana plays the ideal host.

The marking of a drawn-out agreement among WAFU and the American television goliaths, Fox Sports, and different organizations with corporate Ghana are characteristic of exclusive requirements from the opposition, which highlights sub-territorial monsters like Nigeria and Senegal.

However, the competition's success will be evaluated in addition to the host team's performance. While it is the assumption for Ghanaians, particularly fans in and around Elmina and Cape Coast, that Maxwell Konadu's group will win the competition, participation at match scenes will be a significant estimating pole for support.

The WAFU Cup presents a wonderful opportunity for Konadu and his squad to restore some pride in Ghanaian football and win back the supporters after Ghana's disappointing performance this year, which included the Black Stars' failure to win the AFCON in Gabon, their poor performance in the qualifiers for the 2018 FIFA World Cup, and the Black Stars B's failure to qualify for the CHAN next year. This competition will be a litmus test for Konadu, who has been in charge of the home team for nearly two years, to demonstrate his credentials after angry fans demanded that he be fired following Ghana's CHAN disaster.

Because the WAFU tournament is about the same size as the African Women's Cup of Nations, it is important that the GFA and the Ministry of Youth and Sports use this month's tournament as a dress rehearsal for the African Women's Cup of Nations next year, which will be held in Ghana. They should make sure that logistical and organizational problems are fixed so that important lessons and experiences can be learned that will help the Local Organising Committee (LOC) when it is set up by the ministry for the women's tournament.