Black Starlets has failed to qualify for the 2026 FIFA U17 World Cup in Qatar after they suffered defeat to Uganda in the playoffs at the ongoing U17 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.
Following an entertaining 2-2 draw on Saturday, May 23, 2026, the U-17 boys suffered an 8-7 defeat in a marathon penalty shootout.
Eric Adu Gyamfi gave Ghana a 9th-minute comfortable lead in the first half and pushed forward to double their tally before recess. However, it was Uganda who scored through Musika Owen in a corner kick situation in the 34th minute to draw level, heading into the break.
From the break, coach Prosper Ogum’s boys started the second half strongly and restored their lead in the 54th minute through Abdul Latif Wunzalgu.
Ghana held on to their 2-1 lead into the 90th minute, despite creating clear-cut chances that could have made the game a foregone conclusion against the Young Cranes.
However, in stoppage time, Uganda were awarded a penalty following a handball, and Ibanda Arafat converted to level the game at 2-2, forcing the match into a penalty shootout.
In the marathon shootout, the East African side emerged victorious having converted all 8 of their kicks from the spot while Ghana missed one and converted 7.
Uganda now joins Mali, Algeria, Egypt , Tanzania, Cameroon, Ivory Coast, Morocco, Senegal, and Mozambique, as the ten nations to represent Africa at the tournament scheduled for November 19 to December 13.
