Accra, Dec 5, GNA - Bashir Hayford, head coach of the National Under-17 team, the Black Starlets has initiated moves to reinforce his squad with some few players ahead of Sunday's clash with their Ivorian counterparts in the second leg qualifier of the Africa Under-17 Soccer championship scheduled for Togo next year.

Coach Hayford told the GNA Sports in an interview that he has invited five players into the team but described the call as a justifier for the players.

The players according to the coach are from the camp of Obuasi Ashgold but he declined to disclose their names for now. Coach Hayford however said that the invitation of the players does not guarantee them an automatic place in the team since they will have to prove that they are better than the present ones.

'It is not proper to disintegrate the present team hence the invited players must prove beyond all reasonable doubts that they are better than those occupying certain positions in the team to merit a place in the starting line up.' Coach Hayford added.

Asked if the team can overturn the 3-1 deficit suffered in the first leg to secure a qualification to the championship, the coach said the task looks difficult but can be surmounted.

He said his players are aware of the task at hand and are prepared to go all out to qualify the nation for the competition.

'My players know that they have to score at least two unanswered goals to make our dreams of qualifying a reality and are physically and psychologically prepared for the battle.' Coach Hayford stated.

Coach Hayford said contrary to the biased officiating witnessed in the first leg, they are expecting the best of officiating in the second leg since that will be one of the factors that will ensure their qualification.

The coach said the first leg in Cote D'Ivoire was characterized by poor officiating, which frustrated his boys after they had a goal and a clear penalty disallowed.

He indicated that his boys will this time around not bow down to frustration as they are psychological prepared for it. The Starlets will host their Ivorian counterparts on Sunday at the Sunyani Coronation Park.