University for Development Studies Retains African Title as Black Maidens Dominate WAFU B Opener

The University for Development Studies (UDS) has etched its name into the history books by successfully defending its African University Football Championship title in Cairo, Egypt. In a competitive final, the Ghanaian side secured a 2-1 victory over Tanzania’s Julius Nyerere University, becoming the first university in history to retain the continental crown. This achievement follows a dominant run in the tournament, which included a 4-0 semi-final victory against Egypt’s Delta University. The win in Cairo further cements UDS’s status as a global powerhouse, coming shortly after they became the first African team to win the FISU World University Football Championship in September 2025 by defeating Brazil’s Paulista University.

Simultaneously, on the national youth front, Ghana’s U-17 women’s team, the Black Maidens, launched their 2026 WAFU B U-17 Girls Cup campaign with an emphatic 4-0 triumph over Burkina Faso. Head coach Nana Joe Adarkwa praised the team’s clinical performance, which saw goals from Seidatu Wahab, Gloria Ameaa, Benedicta Danso, and Hajara Adams. Adarkwa emphasized that the squad’s strength lies in its collective play and balance across every department, noting that the team is executing their tactical plans effectively as they look ahead to a high-stakes encounter against Nigeria.

For the Black Maidens, the WAFU B tournament serves as a vital preparation platform for the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup. This marks Ghana’s return to the world stage following a CAF ban in 2022, and the technical team is utilizing every regional match to fine-tune the squad. Coach Adarkwa expressed optimism about the team's progress as they prepare to face a challenging World Cup group featuring Norway, Brazil, and Canada. The current momentum in the WAFU B tournament is seen as essential for building the resilience needed for the global showpiece.

These combined successes represent a significant period of growth for Ghanaian football at both the university and youth international levels. While UDS continues to dominate the collegiate circuit continentally and globally, the Black Maidens are signaling a strong resurgence for the women’s game. These performances not only highlight the depth of talent within Ghana’s footballing structures but also set a high standard for the nation's upcoming international assignments, reflecting a high level of technical and tactical development across various tiers of the sport.