Ghana Black Starlets lose on penalties to Côte d’Ivoire in WAFU B U-17 Final

The Black Starlets finished as runners-up in the WAFU B U-17 Championship after a hard-fought final defeat to hosts Côte d’Ivoire in Yamoussoukro.

The tightly contested game ended goalless in regulation time, before Ghana fell 4-3 in the penalty shootout.

Read more: Black Queens coach Kim Lars Bjorkegren sets sights on WAFCON glory

Despite the heartbreak, the Starlets displayed impressive resilience and skill, matching the Ivorians on their home turf.

Their overall campaign was a strong one, showcasing the emergence of exciting young talents with great potential for the future.

Crucially, Ghana’s runner-up finish secured qualification for the 2026 TotalEnergies U-17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), ensuring the nation’s presence among the continent’s elite youth teams.

The Black Starlets now look ahead to the continental stage, where they will aim to build on this momentum and contend strongly in the 2026 U-17 AFCON.

Their journey in Yamoussoukro has reignited optimism about the future of Ghana’s youth football.

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