Ghana, Uganda, Ethiopia and Mozambique set for U-17 AFCON World Cup play-off battles

The race for the final African slots at the FIFA U-17 World Cup intensifies on Friday as Ghana, Uganda, Ethiopia and Mozambique prepare for decisive play-off matches at the ongoing CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.

With Africa allocated 10 places at the FIFA U-17 World Cup, the four nations have been handed a final opportunity to secure qualification despite missing out on the quarter-final stage of the continental tournament.

The play-off fixtures will see Ethiopia face Mozambique in the opening encounter before Ghana take on Uganda later in the day, with the winners of both matches booking places at the global showpiece.

Ethiopia and Uganda earned their play-off spots after finishing third in their respective groups, keeping alive hopes of reaching the World Cup through the revised qualification pathway.

Ghana’s Black Starlets will be aiming to bounce back from group-stage disappointment as they seek a return to the FIFA U-17 World Cup, while Uganda’s Cubs also remain determined to extend their campaign after narrowly missing a quarter-final berth.

Mozambique, meanwhile, will look to recover from a difficult group campaign and capitalize on the second chance offered by the expanded qualification system.

The play-off format has added fresh excitement to the competition, ensuring more African nations remain in contention for a place at the FIFA U-17 World Cup in Qatar. The matches are expected to deliver high drama, with qualification and continental pride at stake.