Ghana’s Black Starlets kept their 2026 U-17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) campaign alive with a 3-1 victory over South Africa in their final Group D match on Wednesday night at the Mohammed VI Football Academy. Despite the win, Ghana must now wait for a Confederation of African Football (CAF) drawing of lots to determine whether they progress directly to the knockout stage.
The Black Starlets entered the must-win fixture under heavy pressure, sitting at the bottom of Group D with just one point following an initial 2-2 draw against Algeria and a 1-0 defeat to a 10-man Senegal squad.
Coach Prosper Narteh Ogum’s side started aggressively and broke the deadlock midway through the first half when captain Joseph Narbi converted a penalty. Narbi doubled Ghana’s advantage just before halftime, successfully dispatching a second spot-kick to send the Starlets into the break with a 2-0 lead.
South Africa intensified their attack after the interval, narrowing the margin with a goal from Mhlongo. The strike set up a tense final period for Ghana, who were eager to avoid a repeat of their opening match collapse where they surrendered a two-goal lead to Algeria. The Black Starlets maintained their composure, ultimately sealing the 3-1 victory deep into stoppage time via a swift counterattack that eliminated South Africa from the tournament.
The victory, however, leaves Ghana’s immediate qualification status in limbo. The Black Starlets finished completely level with Algeria across total points, goal difference, and their head-to-head record. Under CAF regulations, a random drawing of lots is required to break the tie and finalize the second and third positions in Group D.
A second-place finish through the draw will automatically advance Ghana to the tournament’s quarter-finals and secure them a spot in the upcoming FIFA U-17 World Cup. Conversely, if Ghana draws third place, they will be eliminated from the U-17 AFCON but will still receive a secondary opportunity to qualify for the World Cup through a playoff.