Cote d’Ivoire secure qualification for 2027 Africa U17 Cup of Nations

Cote d’Ivoire booked their place at the 2027 Africa U17 Cup of Nations by beating Ghana 1-0 in the semi-final of the UFOA-B qualifying tournament in Burkina Faso.

The Elephanteaux also reached the regional final, with their opponents to be confirmed after the evening’s second semi-final. Their victory over the Black Starlets secured one of the two qualification places allocated to the UFOA-B zone for the tournament in Morocco.

The decisive moment came in the 77th minute at Ouagadougou on Tuesday, 20 October. The result ended Ghana’s unbeaten run in the competition and sent Cote d’Ivoire through to the next African championship.

Ghana had entered the match after a strong group-stage campaign under former international Laryea Kingston. The Black Starlets finished top of Group A with seven points, defeating Togo 1-0 and Benin 3-1 before drawing 0-0 with Burkina Faso.

Cote d’Ivoire’s route to the semi-finals had been more closely contested. In Group B, they secured their place in the last four after drawing 1-1 with Nigeria and finished second behind Niger.

However, victory in the semi-final carried significance beyond reaching the regional final. The winner would automatically qualify for the 2027 Africa U17 Cup of Nations, making the match a direct route to the continental tournament.

Cote d’Ivoire are therefore the first team from the UFOA-B zone to qualify for the 2027 finals. The second place will be decided by the other semi-final between Niger and Burkina Faso.

Niger reached the last four after an unexpected first-place finish in Group B, which included a 2-1 victory over Nigeria. Burkina Faso finished second in Group A and will contest the remaining semi-final.

The Elephanteaux will learn later on Tuesday who they will face in the regional final. Whatever the outcome of that match, their main objective has already been achieved: Cote d’Ivoire will compete at the 2027 Africa U17 Cup of Nations in Morocco.