Prosper Narteh Ogum, head coach of the Black Starlets, has declared that his team’s ambition is to win the 2026 U-17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), with qualification for the FIFA U-17 World Cup also a key objective.
Ghana has been drawn in a challenging Group D alongside Algeria, Senegal, and South Africa, setting the stage for a demanding group phase.
Despite the tough competition, the Black Starlets will draw confidence from their rich history in the tournament, having won the trophy in 1995 and 1999. They are the second most successful team in U-17 AFCON history, with runners-up finishes in 2005 and 2017.
Speaking in an interview with Asempa FM’s Ultimate Sports Show, Ogum, who previously coached Asante Kotoko, emphasized that targeting the title is the surest route to securing a World Cup berth.
“We aim to win the trophy. The last time we won the trophy was in 2009, so that is our target. We have to aim at qualifying for the World Cup, so if we aim for the trophy, qualifying for the World Cup will be easy for us,” he said.
He added that success in the group stage will be crucial to achieving their objectives.
“Ten teams will qualify for the World Cup, but if we target the trophy, our qualification will be easy. If our target is to win the ultimate, then our group games must be won,” Ogum noted.
The coach expressed confidence in his squad’s ability to deliver, insisting that Ghana’s pedigree in youth football gives them every chance of replicating past success.
“For us, we are Ghana, and we are capable of repeating what our predecessors did, but we are also a confident squad,” he added.
The 2026 U-17 AFCON is scheduled to take place from May 13 to June 2 in Morocco, bringing together Africa’s brightest young talents to compete for continental glory and World Cup qualification.
