Black Starlets reach WAFU Zone B semi-finals with game to spare

Ghana’s U17 national football team, the Black Starlets, has secured a place in the semi-finals of the ongoing WAFU Zone B tournament. The team clinched their spot in the knockout stage with a match to spare following consecutive victories against Togo and Benin in their opening group fixtures. This early qualification provides the Starlets with a significant momentum boost as they look to restore Ghana's historical dominance in continental youth football.

Coach Kassim Ocansey has expressed strong confidence in his squad’s ability to achieve their primary objectives for the competition. Beyond merely reaching the final four, the technical team remains focused on securing a place in the final and ultimately winning the sub-regional trophy. Ocansey highlighted the discipline and tactical execution shown by the players in their first two matches, noting that the team is hitting its stride at the right time to challenge the region's best sides.

The tournament serves as a critical qualification pathway for the 2027 Africa U17 Cup of Nations (AFCON), which is scheduled to take place in Morocco during April and May 2027. Success in the WAFU Zone B competition is essential for the Black Starlets as they aim to return to the continental stage after previous absences. Before the semi-final knockout matches begin, Ghana is scheduled to face Burkina Faso in their final group game on October 16 to determine their final standing and seeding for the next round.