Ghana’s national under-17 football team, the Black Starlets, are marking their return to the continental stage for the first time in nine years at the 2026 U-17 Africa Cup of Nations, running from May 13 to June 2. The four-time world champions last played in the tournament in 2017, where they finished as runners-up in Gabon.
The Black Starlets are placed in Group D alongside Algeria, Senegal, and South Africa. Ghana opens its campaign against Algeria on Wednesday, May 14, followed by a match against Senegal on May 17, and a final group fixture against South Africa on May 20.
With Africa allotted ten slots for the upcoming FIFA U-17 World Cup, qualification stakes are high. All eight quarter-finalists, alongside the two best third-placed teams from the group stage, will book a place at the global tournament. Ghana has not appeared at the World Cup since 2017, when they reached the quarter-finals.
Head coach Prosper Narteh Ogum has led intense squad preparations focusing on fitness, tactical discipline, and chemistry. The team enters the tournament following two recent friendly victories at the Accra Sports Stadium, defeating True Democracy 4-2 and Ivory Coast 4-0.
Ghana previously won the U-17 AFCON titles in 1995 and 1999. Ahead of the tournament opener, Coach Ogum emphasized that focus, discipline, and mental toughness would be vital to managing expectations.
Ghana Football Association President Kurt Edwin Simeon-Okraku also rallied the squad, urging the players to approach the competition with confidence and determination to restore the nation’s reputation in youth football.