Black Starlets miss AFCON qualification after 1-0 loss to Côte d’Ivoire

Ghana’s Under-17 national team, the Black Starlets, have failed to qualify for the 2027 U-17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) following a narrow 1-0 semi-final defeat to Côte d’Ivoire. The match was part of the 2026 WAFU Zone B U-17 Championship, where a victory was required to secure a spot in the continental tournament. This defeat carries significant consequences for the youth side, as missing the AFCON also means the team will not participate in the 2027 FIFA U-17 World Cup.

Coach Kassim Mingle’s side entered the semi-final with high expectations after an impressive performance in the group stages. The Black Starlets finished at the top of Group A, remaining unbeaten and securing seven points from three matches. However, the semi-final encounter proved challenging, particularly after Ghana was reduced to 10 men. The Ivorian team capitalized on the numerical advantage to score the decisive goal, securing their place in the tournament final and confirming their own AFCON qualification.

The elimination marks a disappointing conclusion to a campaign that had initially shown great promise for Ghana’s youth development. By failing to reach the final of the WAFU Zone B tournament, the Starlets lose out on critical competitive experience at both the continental and global levels. Moving forward, Coach Mingle and the Ghana Football Association (GFA) are expected to evaluate the team's performance and review development strategies to ensure the squad is better prepared for future international qualifying cycles.