BY ISSAH OLEGOR
Ghana’s Black Starlets have made a promising start to their preparations for the WAFU Zone B U-17 Championship after defeating Morocco’s U-17 side 2-0 in the opening match of their two-game international friendly series in Rabat.
The victory at the King Mohammed VI Football Complex provided coach Kassim Mingle and his technical team with an encouraging result as they continue to shape the squad for the regional competition, which will serve as the qualifying tournament for the 2027 U-17 Africa Cup of Nations.
Ghana started brightly and looked the more threatening side during the opening stages of an entertaining encounter. Their pressure paid off in the 24th minute when Hope Agbasi converted a well-delivered cross from Yaw Acheampong to put the Black Starlets ahead.
The visitors continued to press for a second goal before the break, with Alidu Issah and Acheampong both testing the Moroccan goalkeeper. The hosts, however, survived the pressure and went into half-time only one goal behind.
Ghana eventually doubled their advantage shortly after the restart. Acheampong beat his marker before being brought down inside the penalty area, prompting the referee to award Ghana a penalty.
Issah stepped up and calmly converted from the spot to give the Black Starlets a 2-0 lead and strengthen their grip on the contest.
The young Ghanaian side continued searching for a third goal as Morocco struggled to find a way back into the game. Substitute Gavi Robinho came close with a long-range effort, but his attempt sailed over the crossbar.
Another substitute, Nii Odoi Tawiah, also threatened after reacting quickest to a rebound, only for his effort to be blocked by a Moroccan defender and deflected behind for a corner.
The result gives Mingle and his technical team a valuable boost ahead of the second meeting, while also providing an opportunity to assess the squad against strong North African opposition.
The Black Starlets will face Morocco again in the second friendly at the King Mohammed VI Football Complex on Wednesday, September 30, 2026, as preparations continue for the WAFU Zone B U-17 Championship and the bigger target of qualification for the 2027 U-17 AFCON.
