Ghana’s Black Starlets have been eliminated from the race to qualify for the 2027 U-17 Africa Cup of Nations after losing 1-0 to Cote d’Ivoire in the semi-finals of the 2026 WAFU Zone B U-17 Championship.
Their hopes of reaching the final and earning a place at next year’s continental tournament were damaged early when Daniel Owusu was sent off in the 17th minute.
Ghana remained competitive despite playing with 10 men for most of the match, but Cote d’Ivoire eventually broke the deadlock in the 77th minute. The goal secured victory for the Ivorians and confirmed their place in the final.
The result brings Ghana’s campaign in the regional competition to an end and means they cannot use the tournament to qualify for the 2027 U-17 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.
The Black Starlets had reached the semi-finals unbeaten after finishing top of Group A with seven points from three matches. They opened the group stage with wins over Togo and Benin before drawing 0-0 with hosts Burkina Faso.
However, defeat by their West African neighbours leaves Ghana short of their main objective and facing an early end to their hopes of appearing at the continental tournament.
