The Black Starlets finished as runners up in the just-ended 2025 WAFU Zone B U-17 Championship but have secured qualification to the next AFCON.
Ghana after bouncing back stronger despite a sloppy start to the competition, lost painfully to host Côte d’Ivoire via penalty shootouts in a very crunchy final at the Stade Charles Konan Banny after a goalless draw in regulation time.
The game was a very open one with the two nations standing up against each other leaving a very open encounter with even exchanges.
Numerous chances were created in the game at both ends yet there was no goal produced as it finished goalless after full-time. Game travelled straight to penalty shootouts and the Young Elephants won 4-3 to achieve the ‘host and win.’
The Black Starlets despite the defeat have returned to the TotalEnergies CAF U-17 Cup of Nations - for the first time in eight years.
Their last appearance at the continental showpiece was in 2017 where they lost to Mali in the final in a competition that was held in Gabon.
