Kurt Okraku Sets World Cup Target for Black Starlets Ahead of U17 AFCON
Ghana Football Association (GFA) President Kurt Okraku has expressed strong belief in the Black Starlets’ prospects at the upcoming U17 Africa Cup of Nations, outlining World Cup qualification as the team’s primary objective.
The Starlets are set to make their return to the continental championship after an eight-year absence, having secured qualification through last year’s WAFU B tournament. Their comeback has sparked optimism among Ghanaian football fans, with expectations rising ahead of the tournament in Morocco.
Okraku, speaking to GFA Media, said he is confident the young Ghanaian side can make a positive impact on the African stage while targeting a place at the global tournament.
“I believe they will go to the AFCON and will make us proud,” he said. “That will be a joyous moment for us again. I think that we belong to the elite group on the African continent.”
He added that the immediate focus is on reaching the FIFA U17 World Cup, describing it as the ultimate benchmark for the team.
“First [target] is to qualify to the World Cup because that is the ultimate platform,” Okraku stated.
Ghana last featured at the U17 World Cup in 2017 in India, where the Starlets reached the quarterfinals. The current squad, led by head coach Prosper Narteh Ogum, has been in camp since the beginning of the year, intensifying preparations for the continental showpiece.
The 2026 U17 Africa Cup of Nations will be staged in Morocco in April, with the Black Starlets aiming to re-establish themselves among Africa’s top youth teams and secure a return to the world stage.
