Ghana’s U-17 national team, the Black Starlets, have been handed a difficult task after being drawn into a challenging Group D for the 2026 U-17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco.
The draw, conducted by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) in Cairo on Wednesday, placed Ghana alongside strong opponents Senegal, South Africa, and Algeria.
The group has already been labelled the “Group of Death”, highlighting the intense competition the Black Starlets will face as they attempt to make a strong return to the continental stage.
Defending champions Senegal head into the tournament as one of the favourites, while South Africa and Algeria are known for their tactical discipline and technical quality. This makes every match in the group a high-stakes battle.
Ghana will be returning to the U-17 AFCON for the first time since 2017, and the team will be eager to revive its proud legacy in youth football.
The tournament, scheduled to take place in Morocco from May 13 to June 2, 2026, will also serve as the African qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA U-17 World Cup.
The top two teams from each group will advance to the knockout stage and secure qualification for the World Cup. Meanwhile, third-placed teams will compete in playoffs for the remaining two World Cup slots.
For the Black Starlets, the mission is clear survive the tough group stage and take the first step toward returning to the global stage.
