U-17 AFCON: Ghana declares intension to win title for the first time since 2009

Ghana’s Black Starlets head coach Prosper Narteh Ogum has set an ambitious target for his side, declaring their intention to win the 2026 U-17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) and secure a place at the FIFA U-17 World Cup.

Ghana has been drawn into Group D, where they will face Algeria, Senegal, and South Africa in what promises to be a highly competitive group.

The Black Starlets arrive at the tournament with a proud history, having lifted the title twice in 1995 and 1999. They remain one of the most successful teams in the competition’s history, with additional runner-up finishes in 2005 and 2017.

Speaking in an interview with Accra-based Asempa FM, Ogum, a former Asante Kotoko coach, emphasized that the team’s focus is not only on continental success but also on automatic qualification for the World Cup.

“We aim to win the trophy. The last time we won the trophy was in 2009, so that is our target. We have to aim at qualifying for the World Cup, so if we aim for the trophy, qualifying for the World Cup will be easy for us.”

He added that the team’s strategy is to approach every match with the mindset of champions.

“Ten teams will qualify for the World Cup, but if we target the trophy, our qualification will be easy. If our target is to win the ultimate, then our group games must be won.

“For us, we are Ghana, and we are capable of repeating what our predecessors did, but we are also a confident squad,” he added.

The 2026 U-17 AFCON will take place from May 13 to June 2 in Morocco, bringing together the continent’s brightest young talents in a tournament expected to deliver intense competition and high-quality football.