Ghana’s Black Starlets have qualified for the semi-finals of the 2026 WAFU Zone B U-17 Championship following an impressive 3–1 victory over Benin in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.
Alidu Issah delivered a Player-of-the-Match performance, scoring twice inside the opening eight minutes before Nii Tawiah Odoi added Ghana’s third goal. The victory was the Black Starlets’ second consecutive win and secured their place in the knockout stage with one group match remaining.
The result keeps head coach Kassim Ocansey Mingle and his young squad firmly on course in their attempt to qualify for the 2027 U-17 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.
Black Starlets Make Explosive Start Against Benin
Ghana entered the match knowing that a victory would guarantee their progression to the WAFU Zone B U-17 semi-finals.
The Black Starlets wasted little time establishing control, with Issah opening the scoring in the fourth minute. The striker demonstrated excellent movement and composure to hand Ghana the perfect start.
Just four minutes later, Issah struck again to make it 2–0. His quick-fire brace placed Benin under enormous pressure and gave Ghana a commanding advantage before the match had reached the ten-minute mark.
Benin eventually reduced the deficit and attempted to fight their way back into the contest. Ghana temporarily lost some of the control established during the opening stages, but Mingle’s players remained composed and prevented their opponents from completing the comeback.
Odoi then scored Ghana’s third goal to put the result beyond doubt and confirm a deserved 3–1 victory.
Issah was subsequently named Player of the Match for his decisive contribution. His clinical finishing proved to be the difference as the Black Starlets secured all three points and advanced to the semi-finals.
Kassim Mingle Pleased but Demands Improvement
Black Starlets head coach Kassim Ocansey Mingle expressed satisfaction with the result but admitted that his team must continue improving.
The coach highlighted Ghana’s loss of concentration after taking a two-goal lead as one of the areas that requires attention. That period allowed Benin to reduce the deficit and briefly create uncertainty around the result.
“We could have scored more than three,” Mingle said while reflecting on the chances created by his team.
The coach was nevertheless pleased to see the players implement the goalscoring work completed during training. Ghana created several promising opportunities and showed greater efficiency in front of goal than they had displayed in their opening match against Togo.
Two Consecutive Wins for the Black Starlets
Ghana began the tournament with a hard-fought 1–0 victory over Togo. David Kwarteng scored the decisive goal in the seventh minute to give the Black Starlets a winning start and move them to the top of Group A.
Although Ghana created opportunities to extend their lead against Togo, the team had to settle for a narrow victory. Their attacking performance improved significantly against Benin, with Issah’s early brace helping the Starlets secure a more comfortable result.
Two victories from their opening two matches gave Ghana six points and confirmed semi-final qualification before the final Group A fixture against tournament hosts Burkina Faso.
The strong start demonstrates the progress made by Mingle and his technical team following an extensive nationwide scouting programme to identify Ghana’s most promising young footballers.
Ghana’s U-17 AFCON Qualification Path Explained
Reaching the WAFU Zone B U-17 semi-finals does not automatically qualify Ghana for the 2027 U-17 Africa Cup of Nations.
Only the two teams that reach the WAFU Zone B final are guaranteed qualification for the continental tournament in Morocco. The Black Starlets must therefore win their semi-final to secure an AFCON ticket.
Mingle revealed that the team entered the competition with three main objectives:
- Qualify for the WAFU Zone B semi-finals.
- Reach the final and secure U-17 AFCON qualification.
- Win the WAFU Zone B U-17 Championship.
The first objective has now been achieved, but Ghana’s most important match will be the semi-final. Victory in that match would return the Black Starlets to the U-17 AFCON and move them one step closer to winning the regional title.
Alidu Issah Emerges as Key Player for Ghana
Issah’s performance against Benin underlined his importance to Ghana’s attacking system.
The striker combined intelligent positioning with calm finishing to score twice before Benin had settled into the match. His ability to punish defensive mistakes gave Ghana the early advantage needed to control proceedings.
Issah had also created goalscoring opportunities during the opening win over Togo, although he was unable to convert on that occasion. His two goals against Benin were therefore a reward for his continued attacking threat.
Maintaining that form during the knockout rounds could be crucial to Ghana’s chances of reaching the final and qualifying for the 2027 U-17 AFCON.
Black Starlets Target WAFU Zone B Trophy
With their semi-final place secured, the Black Starlets can approach the remaining fixtures with growing confidence.
Ghana will need to maintain the intensity displayed during the opening stages against Benin while avoiding the concentration lapses identified by Mingle. The knockout rounds will provide little room for mistakes, particularly with an AFCON place at stake.
The performances against Togo and Benin have offered encouraging signs. Ghana have demonstrated defensive resilience, attacking quality and the ability to manage difficult periods during matches.
However, the team’s qualification mission is not yet complete. Reaching the semi-finals was only the first target. The Black Starlets must now win one more decisive match to book their place at the U-17 Africa Cup of Nations.
For Mingle and his talented young players, the ambition remains clear: reach the final, qualify for Morocco and bring the WAFU Zone B U-17 trophy back to Ghana.
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