Ghana face Ivory Coast in decisive WAFU Zone B U17 semi-final

The match is scheduled for 16:00 GMT, with both sides needing a victory to secure their place at the continental tournament, which will be held in Morocco.

The Ivorians secured their place in the last four after drawing 1-1 with Nigeria on Saturday to finish second in Group B behind group winners Niger. Their result set up a meeting with a Ghana side that progressed as Group A winners without suffering a defeat.

Coach Kassim Ocansey’s team collected seven points from three matches during the group stage, recording victories over Togo and Benin before playing out a goalless draw against hosts Burkina Faso.

Ghana scored four goals and conceded only once in those three fixtures, a record that secured top spot in their group and kept their unbeaten run intact heading into the knockout stage.

The Black Starlets will now seek to carry that form into Tuesday’s encounter as they pursue the WAFU Zone B title and a place at the 2027 U17 Africa Cup of Nations.

The meeting with Ivory Coast represents a significant test for Ocansey and his players, who must maintain their defensive discipline and attacking effectiveness against a side that has also progressed to the tournament’s semi-final stage.

Ghana’s results in the opening round have provided a strong foundation for their campaign. Their wins over Togo and Benin earned them crucial points, while the draw against Burkina Faso was enough to finish the group phase at the top.

That consistency will be important as the competition moves into a stage where there is little room for error. Unlike the group fixtures, the semi-final presents a direct opportunity to advance to the final, while also offering a route to the continental competition in Morocco.

Ivory Coast, meanwhile, will arrive after securing the point they needed against Nigeria to finish among the top two teams in Group B. Their draw confirmed their progression and placed them on course to face Ghana in what is expected to be a crucial contest for both countries.

The stakes extend beyond the regional championship. Victory on Tuesday will guarantee either team qualification for the 2027 U17 Africa Cup of Nations. The losing side, however, will miss out on securing qualification through this tournament.

For Ghana, a win would preserve their unbeaten record, take them into the final and confirm their participation in the continental competition. It would also move the Black Starlets one step closer to claiming the WAFU Zone B U17 title.

Ocansey and his squad must therefore deliver another disciplined performance against the Ivorians if they are to achieve those objectives.

With qualification and a place in the final both on the line, Tuesday’s semi-final is a defining moment in Ghana’s campaign. The Black Starlets will be aiming to build on their strong group-stage performances and ensure their progress continues in the competition.