Ghana’s Black Starlets have been eliminated from the 2026 U-17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in the most heartbreaking fashion imaginable after losing out on the draw of the lots to Algeria.
Despite a 3-1 victory over South Africa in their final group game, Ghana was denied a place in the quarter-finals after securing third place in Group D, finishing level on points, goals scored, and goals conceded with Algeria.
However, the North Africans advanced as group runners-up after winning the drawing of lots, leaving the Black Starlets to battle for one of Africa’s remaining World Cup slots through the play-off route.
It was a cruel, clinical, and almost unbearable way to exit a tournament that had promised so much when the Black Starlets arrived in Morocco nine years after their last U-17 AFCON appearance.
A brace from Joseph Narbi in the first half put Ghana in pole position at half-time. However, Thandanani Mhlongo’s goal against the round of play gave South Africa some much-needed momentum.
Ghana capitalised on South Africa being reduced to 10-men as second-half substitute Augustine Appiah made it 3-1, a goal that levelled the goal difference with Algeria.
Unfortunately, Ghana has now been eliminated from the competition and will look forward to CAF’s expanded format that offers third-placed teams a route to the FIFA U-17 World Cup through playoff matches.
The Black Starlets will face Uganda in a World Cup play-off, a side, managed by former Ghanaian International, Laryea Kingston.
Black Starlets have a proud history in the AFCON competition, having won it in 1995 and 1999 and finished as runners-up in 2005 and 2017.
