Black Starlets to play in U17 AFCON amid expansion

Black Starlets, may still have a chance to compete in the next U17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) despite not reaching the final of the WAFU-B tournament.

The Ghana U17 team started the WAFU championship with a strong performance, defeating Ivory Coast 5-1 and Benin 2-0 to secure a spot in the semi-finals.

However, their hopes were dashed when they lost 2-1 to Burkina Faso. They then finished in fourth place after a 3-2 defeat in the third-place playoff.

Initially, the qualification rules allowed only two slots for West Africa, but recent developments suggest an expansion that could benefit Ghana.

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) is expected to discuss increasing the number of teams participating in the U17 AFCON at their upcoming meeting on Friday, June 21, 2024.

CAF is likely to double the number of participating teams from 12 to 24, which would enable Ghana to secure automatic qualification for the championship. This expansion aligns with FIFA’s decision to increase the number of teams in the World Cup to 48, granting Africa 10 spots in the global event.

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Without this anticipated expansion, Burkina Faso and Ivory Coast, who reached the final of the WAFU tournament, would have been the sole representatives from West Africa.

The potential increase in team slots provides a lifeline for Ghana and possibly Nigeria, allowing both nations to compete in the AFCON and vie for a place in the next World Cup.

This move is seen as a significant opportunity for the young Ghanaian talents to showcase their skills on a larger stage and continue the legacy of the Black Starlets in international football.

Ghana last played at the AFCON in 2017.