Ghana's U-17 Black Starlets have been drawn into a challenging Group D for the 2026 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco, facing Senegal, South Africa, and Algeria. The tournament will run from May 13 to June 2 and features 16 teams competing for the continental title and qualification to the FIFA U-17 World Cup, according to multiple reports from MyJoyOnline.
The draw took place in Cairo on April 8, 2026, with Ghana securing their spot through success at the 2025 WAFU Zone B Championship. The Black Starlets aim to finish among the top two in their group to advance to the knockout stages and secure one of the eight African berths for the FIFA U-17 World Cup later this year, as outlined by MyJoyOnline coverage.
Head coach Prosper Narteh Ogum emphasized Ghana’s ambition to win the tournament, recalling the nation’s previous U-17 AFCON titles in 1995 and 1999. Ogum’s statement underscores the team’s confidence despite the strength of their group opponents, all of whom have competitive youth systems, MyJoyOnline reports.
In the broader context of African youth football, Nigeria will not participate in the 2026 U-17 AFCON for the second consecutive tournament after failing to progress past the qualifiers, which saw their elimination by Ghana. This marks a significant development as Nigeria is historically a powerhouse in youth football, per Vanguard Nigeria.
Ghana’s performance in this tournament will be critical in determining their return to the FIFA U-17 World Cup in Qatar later this year, especially as the World Cup expands to include 48 teams, with the top ten African teams qualifying. The next key dates to watch are the tournament kick-off on May 13 and Ghana’s initial group matches, which will set the tone for their campaign.
Morocco
Algeria
Ghana
Senegal
South Africa
Cairo
