Black Starlets Draw Tough Group in Quest for U-17 AFCON Glory
Ghana’s U-17 national team, the Black Starlets, face a stern test at the upcoming 2026 U-17 Africa Cup of Nations after being paired in a competitive Group D during the official draw held in Cairo.
The young Ghanaian side will battle it out against continental heavyweights Senegal, as well as South Africa and Algeria, in what promises to be one of the most closely contested groups of the tournament.
Set to be staged in Morocco from May 13 to June 2, the competition will bring together 16 of Africa’s best youth teams, all vying for the continental crown and a pathway to the global stage.
Beyond the title, qualification for the FIFA U-17 World Cup remains a major incentive. All teams that progress to the quarter-finals will automatically secure tickets to the global showpiece, while two additional spots will be awarded to the best-performing third-placed teams—bringing Africa’s total representation to ten nations.
For the Black Starlets, the stakes are particularly high. The team is determined to make a long-awaited return to the FIFA U-17 World Cup, having last featured in 2017, where they advanced to the quarter-finals in India.
With a demanding group ahead, Ghana’s young talents will need to rise to the occasion as they chase both continental success and a long-overdue appearance on the world stage.
