The Black Starlets are aiming to secure qualification for the 2027 U17 Africa Cup of Nations when they take on Ivory Coast in the semi-finals of the 2026 WAFU Zone B U17 Championship on Tuesday.

The crucial encounter is scheduled for 16:00 GMT at the 4th August Stadium in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, with the winner not only advancing to the tournament final but also booking a ticket to the continental showpiece in Morocco.

The Black Starlets have enjoyed an impressive campaign so far, finishing top of Group A with seven points from three matches. They began their campaign with a 1-0 victory over Togo before recording a convincing 3-1 win against Benin, followed by a goalless draw against hosts Burkina Faso.

Head coach Kassim Ocansey and his technical team have been working to ensure the team is ready for the high-stakes encounter, with the coach revealing that preparations have gone well and that the Ivorians have been closely assessed ahead of the showdown.

Ocansey has also underlined the significance of the fixture, describing it as more important than the final because of the AFCON qualification ticket at stake. The Ghana coach is confident his players can overcome Ivory Coast and achieve their primary objective.

Ivory Coast, meanwhile, finished second in Group B after drawing 1-1 with Nigeria, setting up a meeting with the unbeaten Ghanaian side for a place in the final.

With qualification for the 2027 U17 AFCON within reach, the Black Starlets are determined to maintain their unbeaten run, overcome the Ivorians and secure Ghana’s place among Africa’s top youth football nations.

GFA COMMUNICATIONS