Black Starlets coach Kassim Ocansey Mingle says Ghana have achieved their first target at the WAFU B U17 Championship and are now focused on qualifying for the 2027 U-17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
Ghana reached the semi-finals after beating Benin 3-1, with one group match left to play.
Ocansey Mingle said the team had three goals before the tournament: to reach the semi-finals, qualify for the U-17 AFCON by reaching the final, and win the WAFU B trophy.
“Coming here, we had three targets: to qualify for the semi-final, to qualify for the AFCON by being finalists, and to lift the trophy. So far, the first target of making it to the semi-final has been achieved. We have two more to chase and, In Sha Allah, we will achieve,” he said.
Despite the win, the experienced gaffer believes his team could have scored more goals but was happy with their performance.
“We could have scored more than three, but Alhamdulillah, we are okay. We worked on goalscoring at training and we have scored three today, so we are okay. If your team creates chances and they end up scoring three, it’s okay, but there is more room for improvement,” he added.
The Black Starlets will now aim to reach the final to secure a place at the 2027 U-17 AFCON before trying to win the WAFU B title.
By: Pascal Amoah
