Ghana’s Black Starlets have been drawn into a competitive Group A alongside Burkina Faso, Benin and Togo in the WAFU Zone B qualifiers for the 2026 CAF Under-17 Africa Cup of Nations.
The four-team group presents a challenging task for Ghana, with Burkina Faso expected to provide a particularly strong test given its reputation for producing talented young footballers.
Benin and Togo will also pose a threat, meaning the Black Starlets will have little room for mistakes as they seek to progress from the regional competition.
The qualifiers are scheduled to begin on September 15, with the group-stage matches set to be played across three matchdays between September 15 and 22.
Meanwhile, Group B features another highly competitive line-up, with Côte d’Ivoire, Niger and Nigeria set to battle for progression.
Ghana will be hoping to use the WAFU Zone B tournament as a route back to the continental stage after missing recent editions of the U-17 Africa Cup of Nations.
The Black Starlets have a proud history at youth level, having won the FIFA U-17 World Cup twice and produced several players who later became key members of the senior national team.
With qualification for the continental tournament at stake, Ghana will need to produce strong performances throughout the group stage to advance.
WAFU ZONE B U-17 QUALIFIERS GROUPS
Group A
- Burkina Faso
- Benin
- Ghana
- Togo
Group B
- Côte d’Ivoire
- Niger
- Nigeria
