Ghana’s Black Starlets will face Ivory Coast in the semi-finals of the 2026 WAFU Zone B U17 Championship on Tuesday at 16:00 GMT. The match carries more than just a place in the final; both teams are competing for qualification to the 2027 U17 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.
Ivory Coast secured their semi-final spot by finishing second in Group B after a 1-1 draw with Nigeria on Saturday. The Ivorians trailed Niger but managed enough points to set up a showdown with Ghana, who topped Group A without losing a match.
Coach Kassim Ocansey’s Black Starlets collected seven points from three games. They defeated Togo and Benin before settling for a goalless draw against hosts Burkina Faso in their last group fixture. Ghana scored four goals and conceded just one, finishing first in their group.
The stakes are high. A win guarantees a place in the continental tournament next year in Morocco. The losing side will miss out on qualification through this tournament.
Ghana aims to maintain their unbeaten record against Ivory Coast in youth competitions. The Black Starlets are also chasing the WAFU Zone B U17 title. Ivory Coast will challenge that ambition, aware that Tuesday’s match could decide their path to the Africa Cup of Nations.
The semi-final between these West African rivals will draw attention beyond the WAFU zone. The winner takes more than a trophy; they secure a ticket to Morocco for the U17 AFCON in 2027.
This match will test both teams’ resolve and skill. The Black Starlets enter as group winners, having conceded only one goal in three games. Ivory Coast, meanwhile, showed resilience in a tight group, holding Nigeria to a draw to reach this stage.
The encounter sets up a tense battle on Tuesday afternoon, one that will shape the next year’s youth football landscape in the region.
According to Joy Online.
