Ghana and Africa are probably better known for their prowess in football, given Ghana's performance at the recent World Cup, and the number of African stars plying their trade in the top leagues of Europe.

So eyebrows were certainly raised when Ghana's hockey team for the Youth Olympic Games (YOG) declared that their target is to win the gold medal.

'It is a realistic goal,' said coach Edmund Ayertey. 'We have had a lot of preparation and the boys are very determined to prove that an African team can do well in hockey.'

Skipper Alfred Ntiamoah added: 'That goal was set a long time ago and we have been working towards it.'

Confidence is high in the Ghanaian camp because they had beaten traditional powerhouses South Africa and Egypt en route to qualification.

But they are also aware that it will only get tougher from here, with the likes of Australia and Pakistan - both ranked in the world's top 10 - also vying for the coveted gold.

It is why the Ghanaians flew into Singapore on Tuesday night, a week before the Youth Olympic Village opens its doors: to give themselves enough time to adapt to the time difference. They are currently staying in a hotel.

'There is very little difference in terms of climate,' Ayertey explained. 'But Singapore is eight hours ahead of Ghana, so we must give them time to adapt.

'The only concern is that the boys may start to feel homesick after being here for three or four weeks.'

That should not be a problem, at least for three members of the team.

Defender Salya Isalbini and midfielders Elikem Akaba and Eddie Frimpong all ply their trade with Belgian club Herakles and will add some much-needed experience to the side.

In attack, they can turn to forward Johnny Botsio, who was the top scorer and player of the tournament in their continental qualifying campaign.

The 17-year-old has already set his sights on repeating both feats at the coming Games. 'I definitely feel like I am in top form,' he said.

Equally ambitious was his captain Alfred, who remarked: 'My aim is to play good hockey at the Games and eventually play professionally in Europe.'