The Starlets started the game brightly and took the lead through Eric Adu Gyamfi, who found the back of the net to break the deadlock and give the team a deserved advantage.

The goal lifted the confidence of the Ghanaian side, who controlled large spells of the game and continued to push forward in search of more goals.

However, Uganda responded before halftime and drew level through a corner kick situation, bringing the game back to 1-1 heading into the break.

The Black Starlets returned strongly for the second half and restored their lead through Abdul Latif Wunzalgu, whose goal looked set to send Ghana to the FIFA U17 World Cup in Qatar later this year.

With the Black Starlets appearing to be in control and just minutes away from qualification, Uganda were awarded a penalty with about five minutes remaining in the contest. The East Africans converted from the spot to level the game at 2-2 and force the match into a penalty shootout.

The shootout proved dramatic and tense, with both sides converting several kicks. In the end, Uganda edged Ghana 8-7 on penalties to secure qualification to the World Cup.

The painful defeat means the Black Starlets will miss out on the 2026 FIFA U17 World Cup despite an impressive and spirited campaign in Morocco.

Head Coach Dr. Prosper Narteh Ogum and his players will now have to regroup and shift attention to the next qualification cycle.

Credit: Ghana FA

The team traveled with a 35-man contingent made up of 21 players and 14 officials, all focused on delivering a strong campaign on the continental stage.

The Starlets departed from Accra in the early hours of Wednesday and completed a smooth five-hour flight to Morocco, where final preparations will continue before the tournament kicks off.

The technical team is expected to fine-tune tactics and build cohesion among the squad as they gear up for the competition.

President Kurt Edwin Simeon-Okraku was present at the airport to bid farewell to the team. He encouraged the players and officials, assuring them of the unwavering support and confidence Ghanaians have in their ability to make the nation proud.

Ghana has been drawn in a challenging Group D, where they will face Algeria, Senegal, and South Africa. The group promises to be highly competitive, with each team aiming to secure qualification to the knockout stage.

The Black Starlets will be looking to reclaim their status as one of Africa’s dominant forces at the youth level.

Credit: Ghana FA

The prestigious course, scheduled to take place in Morocco from May 7 to May 13, 2026, is specifically designed for selected referees and assistant referees who will officiate at the upcoming U-17 AFCON tournament.

As part of CAF’s standard preparations for major competitions, the pre-tournament course aims to ensure uniform interpretation and application of the Laws of the Game while also assessing and improving the fitness levels of match officials ahead of the championship.

The programme will cover key areas such as integrity, player protection, match management, and tournament-specific officiating standards tailored to the demands of the U-17 Africa Cup of Nations.

This invitation comes across not only as a personal milestone but also another step forward in his officiating career, as he continues to make Ghana proud on the African football scene.

LIST_REFEREES_U17_MOROCCO26_Prep

Credit: Ghana FA

The 2026 U-17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) draw was held on April 8, 2026, in Cairo, for the tournament, which will be hosted in Morocco from May 13 to June 3.

Ghana was placed in Pot 4 for the draw, having failed to qualify for the tournament for the ninth consecutive year.

The Starlets secured qualification through a second-place finish in the 2025 WAFU Zone B Championship.

The top two teams in each group will earn automatic spots in the FIFA U-17 World Cup 2026.

2026 U-17 AFCON Group Results: 

• Group A:  Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt, Ethiopia
• Group B:  Côte d’Ivoire, Cameroon, Uganda, DR Congo
• Group C:  Mali, Angola, Tanzania, Mozambique
• Group D:  Senegal, South Africa, Ghana, Algeria 

Credit: CAF

Midfield maestro Abdellah Ouazane, who plays for Dutch side Ajax Amsterdam, was named Player of the Tournament.

The 16-year-old was instrumental in Morocco’s march to the final, dictating play with composure, vision, and tactical intelligence. His ability to control tempo and deliver decisive moments in the midfield earned plaudits from the Technical Study Group.

Another standout performer was goalkeeper Chouaib Bellaarouch, who claimed both the Best Goalkeeper of the Tournament award and the Man of the Match title for the final.

The Académie Mohammed VI de Football shot-stopper was a model of consistency throughout the campaign, conceding just one goal in the entire tournament.

His heroics in the final included two penalty saves in the shootout against Mali that sealed Morocco’s 4-2 win after a goalless draw.

The architect of Morocco’s success, Nabil Baha, was honoured as Best Coach. The former international led his side with a disciplined defensive strategy and a clear identity of play, guiding the Atlas Cubs to their first-ever continental title. Under Baha, Morocco conceded only once and went unbeaten across the tournament.

Despite losing in the final, Mali were awarded the Fair Play Award for their sportsmanship and conduct throughout the competition.

Coach Adama Diefla Diallo’s side displayed relentless energy and flair, reflecting the strong tradition of Malian youth football.

The tournament showcased the best of African youth football, and Morocco’s clean sweep of individual awards was a fitting end to a campaign marked by resilience, structure, and tactical maturity.

Award Winners – TotalEnergies CAF U-17 AFCON 2025:

• Player of the Tournament: Abdellah Ouazane (Morocco)
• Best Goalkeeper: Chouaib Bellaarouch (Morocco )
• Best scorers : Ashsaraf Tapsoba (Burkina Faso) & Alynho Haïdara (Côte d’Ivoire) : 7 goals
•  Best Coach: Nabil Baha (Morocco)
• Fair Play Award: Mali
• Man of the Match – Final: Chouaib Bellaarouch (Morocco)

Credit: CAF

The hosts held their nerve in the shootout with goalkeeper Zakaria Alaoui emerging as the hero, saving two spot-kicks to send the home fans into raptures after a tightly contested final between two of the tournament’s most consistent sides.

The win ends Morocco’s long wait for continental glory at this level, just two years after finishing as runners-up to Senegal. For Mali, it was heartbreak in their fifth final appearance, despite dominating large portions of the match.

Stalemate in regular time

Neither side managed to find a breakthrough in regulation time, although both had chances in an absorbing tactical contest.

Morocco’s Ilies Belmokhtar and Ahmed Mouhoub threatened from range while Mali’s Seydou Dembélé and Soumaila Fané were lively throughout, but their final efforts lacked precision.

Mali thought they had taken the lead midway through the first half through Fané, only for the goal to be ruled out by VAR for a handball in the build-up.

The North Africans responded by tightening their lines, with central defenders Driss Ait Cheikh and Moncef Zekri repelling Mali’s aggressive transitions.

Despite late pressure and a string of set-pieces from the West Africans, the deadlock remained unbroken at full-time.

Penalty drama seals historic win

In the shootout, Morocco converted all four of their spot-kicks with confidence—Ziyad Baha, Zakari El Khalfioui, Amine Ouahabi and Ilies Belmokhtar all finding the net.

Mali’s Issa Koné and Lamine Keita both saw their efforts saved, handing the title to the jubilant hosts.

Coach Nabil Baha, who guided the young Lions with discipline and defensive rigour throughout the tournament, hailed his players’ composure. Morocco conceded just one goal in the entire competition.

Mali, led by Adama Diefla Diallo, had hoped to secure a third U-17 crown after lifting the trophy in 2015 and 2017. But their dreams were dashed by a well-organised and mentally resilient Moroccan side.

Credit: CAF

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) is expected to discuss increasing the number of teams participating in the U17 AFCON at their upcoming meeting on Friday, June 21, 2024.

CAF is likely to double the number of participating teams from 12 to 24, which could enable Ghana to secure automatic qualification for the championship.

This expansion aligns with FIFA’s decision to increase the number of teams in the World Cup to 48, granting Africa 10 spots in the global event.

Initially, only the top two teams from each zone would qualify. However, if CAF confirms its decision, the best four teams from each zone, including Ghana, will qualify for next year’s U-17 AFCON, providing them an opportunity to compete for a spot in the World Cup in Qatar.

The Ghana U17 team started the WAFU Championship with a strong performance, defeating Ivory Coast 5-1 and Benin 2-0 to secure a spot in the semi-finals.

However, their hopes were dashed when they lost 2-1 to Burkina Faso missing the boat to the final. They then finished in fourth place after a 3-2 defeat in the third-place playoff against Nigeria.

The Black Starlets last played at the AFCON in 2017.

The agreement will commence on 1 November 2023 and PUMA will supply the official match ball at CAF tournaments, as well as provide the kit for referees and engage in several marketing opportunities, both inside and outside the stadium.

CAF and PUMA will launch the official match ball for TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Ivory Coast 2023 at the Final Draw on Thursday 12 October at 19H00 GMT.

The CAF President Dr Patrice Motsepe said: “We are delighted that PUMA which is one of the leading sportswear manufacturing companies in the world, is partnering with CAF to develop and grow football in Africa.”

Johan Kuhlo, General Manager EEMEA Distribution at PUMA said: “The passion for football runs deep in Africa and PUMA has taken a unique and creative approach in its partnerships with its African teams over the years.

“Our agreement with CAF celebrates this passion for the sport across the continent and we will jointly develop exciting products specifically for African football.”

The appeal of African football extends well beyond the Continent, with a strong viewership in major markets such as the UK, France and the United States.

Credit: CAF 

The stage is set for what promises to be a thrilling final between Senegal and Morocco at Nelson Mandela Stadium in Algiers, Algeria in the TotalEnergies U17 Africa Cup of Nations 2023.

Africa’s four representatives to the FIFA U-17 World Cup have been confirmed following the completion of the quarterfinal stage of the TotalEnergies U17 Africa Cup of Nations Algeria 2023.