The Ghana U-17 national team, the Black Starlets, are intensifying their buildup to the 2026 TotalEnergies U-17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON U-17), set to take place in Morocco from April 25 to May 15, 2026.
As two-time champions of the competition (with their last title win in 1999), the team is determined to reclaim past glory and deliver a strong performance on the continental stage, where the top 10 finishers will also qualify for the 2026 FIFA U-17 World Cup in Qatar.
The squad has been in full residential camping mode since early January 2026, initially regrouping with a mix of players from the successful WAFU Zone B U-17 Championship qualifiers—where they secured their AFCON ticket with a commanding 2-0 semi-final win over Nigeria—and additional talents identified through nationwide screening exercises.
The camp, which resumed preparations in Prampram and later shifted focus, has seen head coach Prosper Narteh Ogum and his technical team work on squad cohesion, tactical refinement, and overall fitness under a structured residential program that began with around 44 shortlisted players.
Tomorrow’s double-header friendly matches represent a key phase in this preparation. On Wednesday, February 18, 2026, at the Accra Sports Stadium, the Black Starlets will face two solid opponents from the Access Bank Division One League(Ghana’s second-tier competition):
– The first match kicks off at 8:00 AMagainst Port City FC, the current leaders in Zone Three of the Division One League. Port City have shown strong form this season, maintaining a significant points gap at the top of their zone despite a recent goalless draw against Accra Great Olympics, underlining their defensive solidity and title-contending credentials.
– The second encounter starts at 10:00 AM versus Semper Fi FC (also known as Koforidua Semper Fi FC), who sit in second place in the same zone. Semper Fi have had mixed results lately, including a narrow home loss and efforts to end winless runs, but they remain competitive and capable of providing a stern test.
These games against more physically mature and tactically experienced Division One sides are designed to simulate higher-intensity challenges, helping the young Black Starlets sharpen their decision-making, defensive organization, attacking patterns, and resilience in competitive scenarios.
The technical team sees them as vital for identifying final adjustments before the continental tournament, building on earlier camp work and ensuring the players gain confidence against varied opposition styles.
With qualification already secured and history on their side, expectations are high for Ghana to make a deep run in Morocco. Fans are encouraged to head to the Accra Sports Stadium tomorrow for what promises to be an insightful and entertaining glimpse of the nation’s rising football stars in action.