Ghana's Black Maidens have been eliminated from the 2026 U-17 Women's World Cup after losing 1-0 to Japan in the quarter-finals. The match took place on Sunday, November 1, 2026, at the Mohammed VI Football Complex in Salé, Morocco. Nanami Kurita scored the decisive goal in the 54th minute, securing Japan's spot in the semi-finals. The Black Maidens' campaign ended at the last-eight stage.
The team had an impressive run to reach the quarter-finals, starting with a 3-0 defeat to Norway in their Group C opener. They recovered with a 3-3 draw against Brazil and a 2-0 win over Canada in their final group match. Ghana collected four points to progress to the knockout stage, where they beat Argentina 5-4 on penalties in the round of 16. Captain Seidatu Wahab missed the match due to injury, and Hajara Adam was unavailable after receiving a red card.
Head coach Joe Nana Adarkwa made two changes to his starting team, with Mavis Koah and Belinda Kpentey coming into the side. Osman Rafia took over the captain's armband. Despite the defeat, Adarkwa expressed pride in his players' performance. The Black Maidens struggled to create clear scoring opportunities against a disciplined Japanese side that controlled much of the match.
Japan's Nanami Kurita scored the only goal of the match after Yuka Kishida's attempt took a deflection and fell into her path inside the penalty area. Kurita made no mistake from close range to give Japan the lead. Ghana attempted to find an equaliser but could not break through Japan's defence before the final whistle.
The Black Maidens' journey to the quarter-finals was marked by determination and resilience. They began their campaign with a tough loss to Norway but showed character to bounce back against Brazil and Canada. Their win over Argentina in the round of 16 demonstrated their ability to perform under pressure.
Coach Joe Nana Adarkwa's team had high hopes of advancing further in the tournament. However, they were ultimately undone by Japan's defensive solidity. The Black Maidens' players had given their all, and Adarkwa was proud of their efforts. The team's performance in the tournament was a testament to their growth and development.
The defeat marked the end of Ghana's campaign in the 2026 U-17 Women's World Cup. Despite the disappointment of elimination, the Black Maidens can take pride in their achievements. They will look to build on their experience and improve for future tournaments. The team's fans and supporters will be eager to see them bounce back stronger.
Key points
- Ghana's Black Maidens lost 1-0 to Japan in the quarter-finals of the 2026 U-17 Women's World Cup.
- The team ended their campaign at the last-eight stage, despite an impressive run to the quarter-finals.
- Coach Joe Nana Adarkwa expressed pride in his players' performance despite their elimination.
