Ghana’s Black Starlets will miss the 2026 FIFA U-17 World Cup after falling 8-7 to Uganda in a tense penalty shootout during the U-17 AFCON qualification playoffs.
The match opened with Ghana on the front foot, and it took only nine minutes for Eric Adu Gyamfi of Ebony FC to break the deadlock with his second goal of the tournament.
The early strike gave the Starlets momentum and the sense that they were in control.
Uganda responded before the break, with Owen Mukisa finding the net in the 34th minute to pull the game level at 1-1 going into halftime.
Coming out for the second half, Ghana reclaimed the lead through Abdul Latif Wunzalgu, who scored six minutes after the restart to make it 2-1. That goal put the Black Starlets back in a strong position as the clock ticked down.
Uganda, however, refused to let the tie slip away. Arafat Ibanda stepped up late on and converted from the penalty spot to make it 2-2, sending the contest to penalties.
In the shootout, Uganda kept their composure and converted every kick to win 8-7, securing qualification for the 2026 FIFA U-17 World Cup in November.
The result means Ghana’s absence from the U-17 World Cup stretches to nine years, with the team’s last appearance coming at the 2017 edition in India.
