Ghana target unbeaten finish against Burkina Faso at WAFU B U17 Championship

Kassim Ocansey's side have already secured qualification for the semi-finals after recording victories in their opening two matches, beating Togo 1-0 before claiming a 3-1 win over Benin.

Despite booking their place in the last four, Ghana captain Issah Abdul Rafiu says the team remain determined to maintain their standards as they prepare for their final group match.

The skipper has also acknowledged the need to improve concentration after his side experienced lapses during their victory against Benin.

“Despite the fact that we have already qualified for the semi-final, we aren’t going to relax. We (the players) are focused. Just like our coach said, we lost concentration against Benin but as players we have spoken amongst ourselves and we’ll correct our mistakes,” Issah said.

The Black Starlets will be aiming to address those shortcomings against Burkina Faso while continuing their preparations for the knockout stage of the competition.

Their two victories have given them a strong start to the tournament, but the final group fixture offers another opportunity to improve their overall performance before the semi-finals.

Ocansey's team will be keen to maintain their winning momentum and demonstrate greater consistency as the competition progresses. Their opening results have already confirmed their place in the next round, allowing them to approach the encounter with qualification secured but with their attention still firmly on performance.

Burkina Faso, meanwhile, will be hoping to make the most of playing on home soil as they seek to finish their Group A campaign strongly.

The hosts will present another challenge for Ghana, who must remain disciplined and avoid the concentration lapses identified by their captain if they are to extend their unbeaten run.

For Issah and his team-mates, the priority will be to carry their determination into the match and ensure that the mistakes made against Benin do not become a recurring problem.

The captain's comments suggest the players have already discussed the issues among themselves and are committed to making the necessary adjustments ahead of the next stage.

Ghana's progress at the tournament is also important because the WAFU Zone B U17 Championship serves as a qualifying competition for the 2027 U17 Africa Cup of Nations.

That adds further significance to the campaign, with the Black Starlets seeking to continue their progress in a competition that provides a pathway towards the continental youth tournament.

With a semi-final place already secured, Ghana will now focus on completing the group stage on a positive note against the hosts before turning their attention to the knockout rounds.

Maintaining their unbeaten record would provide another boost to the team's confidence as they pursue their ambitions in Ouagadougou.

However, the Black Starlets will need to combine the attacking quality that helped them score four goals across their first two matches with improved concentration and discipline.

For Burkina Faso, home advantage offers an opportunity to finish the group stage with a strong performance, setting up an intriguing contest between the hosts and a Ghana side determined to keep its momentum going.

Ghana's immediate objective is clear: remain focused, correct the mistakes identified against Benin and carry their positive form into the semi-finals.