Ghana's national under-17 football team, the Black Starlets, began their 2026 WAFU Zone B U17 Championship campaign with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Togo in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso. The team's head coach, Kassim Ocansey, was not entirely satisfied with his team's performance, despite securing all three points in their Group A encounter. David Kwarteng scored the decisive goal in the seventh minute of the game, giving Ghana a crucial win.
Coach Kassim Ocansey expressed mixed feelings about his team's performance, stating that while he was happy with the three points, he had expected more from his players. He attributed the team's inability to score more goals to a lack of clinical finishing in front of goal, despite creating several scoring opportunities. Ocansey emphasized that his team could have done better with the chances they created, and he will work on improving their finishing ahead of their next game.
The Black Starlets' victory gives them a positive start to their campaign, but Coach Ocansey will be keen to address the team's shortcomings in front of goal as they prepare for their next assignment in the competition. The team's next game is against Benin on Tuesday, and Ocansey will be looking to build on their opening-day triumph and maintain their winning momentum. The WAFU Zone B Championship serves as a qualification tournament for the 2027 U17 Africa Cup of Nations.
Coach Kassim Ocansey expressed confidence in his team's attacking potential, insisting that improved finishing could help the Black Starlets score more goals in their subsequent matches. He believes that if his team can convert the chances they create, they can score three or four goals in every game. Ocansey's side will look to build on their opening-day win and make a strong statement in the competition.
The 2026 WAFU Zone B U17 Championship is being held in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, and features teams from the region competing for a spot in the 2027 U17 Africa Cup of Nations. Ghana's Black Starlets are one of the teams vying for a spot in the tournament, and Coach Kassim Ocansey will be looking to guide his team to success. The team's performance in the competition will be closely watched by fans and pundits alike.
The Black Starlets' win over Togo was a closely contested match, with Ghana ultimately emerging victorious thanks to David Kwarteng's early goal. The team's defense held strong to secure the clean sheet, and Coach Ocansey will be looking to build on this solid foundation as the competition progresses. The team's next game against Benin promises to be an exciting encounter, and fans will be eagerly anticipating the match.
The Black Starlets' campaign in the 2026 WAFU Zone B U17 Championship is an important one, as the team looks to make a strong impression and secure a spot in the 2027 U17 Africa Cup of Nations. Coach Kassim Ocansey and his team will be looking to make a deep run in the competition and bring glory to Ghanaian football. The team's performance will be closely watched, and fans will be hoping for a successful campaign.
Key points
- Coach Kassim Ocansey expects more from his team despite their 1-0 win over Togo in their WAFU B U17 opener.
- The Black Starlets will look to build on their opening-day win and maintain their winning momentum against Benin on Tuesday.
- Improved finishing is key to the Black Starlets' success in the 2026 WAFU Zone B U17 Championship, according to Coach Kassim Ocansey.
