Ghana’s Black Starlets have secured qualification to the semi-finals of the 2026 WAFU Zone B U-17 Championship after recording a convincing 3-1 victory over Benin in their second Group A match.
Striker Issah Alidu starred for the Ghanaian side with a quick-fire brace, while Nii Tawiah Odoi added a late third goal to seal the country’s second consecutive win of the tournament.
The Black Starlets made a blistering start to the encounter, taking the lead after just four minutes through Alidu before the forward doubled Ghana’s advantage in the eighth minute to put coach Kassim Ocansey’s side firmly in control.
Benin responded positively and pulled a goal back in the 31st minute, reducing the deficit to 2-1 and keeping the contest alive heading into the break.
After recess, Ghana came under pressure but remained composed, with Ocansey introducing fresh legs, including Benedict Tano, Prince Apam, Stephen Gyasi, Nii Odoi Tawiah and Daniel Owusu, to maintain the team’s intensity.
The Black Starlets eventually put the game beyond Benin’s reach in the 81st minute when Prince Apam set up Tawiah, who finished clinically to restore Ghana’s two-goal cushion and secure a 3-1 triumph.
The result confirms Ghana’s place in the semi-finals with a match to spare and strengthens the team’s bid for qualification to the 2027 U-17 Africa Cup of Nations.
Having opened their campaign with a win over Togo, the Black Starlets have now won their first two Group A matches and will face hosts Burkina Faso in their final group game as they seek to maintain their winning momentum ahead of the knockout stage.
ack in the 31st minute, reducing the deficit to 2-1 and keeping the contest alive heading into the break. composed, with Ocansey introducing fresh legs, including Benedict Tano, Prince Apam, Stephen Gyasi, Nii Odoi Tawiah and Daniel Owusu, to maintain the team’s intensity.
The Black Starlets eventually put the game beyond Benin’s reach in the 81st minute when Prince Apam set up Tawiah, who finished clinically to restore Ghana’s two-goal cushion and secure a 3-1 triumph.
The result confirms Ghana’s place in the semi-finals with a match to spare and strengthens the team’s bid for qualification to the 2027 U-17 Africa Cup of Nations.
Having opened their campaign with a win over Togo, the Black Starlets have now won their first two Group A matches and will face hosts Burkina Faso in their final group game as they seek to maintain their winning momentum ahead of the knockout stage.