Five key members of the Ghana national U-17 team, the Black Starlets, have contracted malaria in Gabon, two days before the team’s crucial semi final tie against Niger.

The Black Starlets are currently unbeaten in the ongoing tournament – the African U-17 championships – and are considered favourites by many.

However, this setback severely hampers their chances of winning the trophy.

According to Ghanasoccernet.com: “Wideman Edmund Ako-Mensah, left-back Gideon Acquah and Abdul Razak Yusif have all been knocked back by a bout of malaria. Isaac Antah and Faisal Osman and a couple of others are all believed to be down.”

Ghana takes on Niger at 15:30 Wednesday and without these five, it would be a severely weakened team which faces Niger.

Head coach Paa Kwesi Fabian and the medical staff are said to be working around the clock to improve the conditions of the afflicted.