BY Nadia Ntiamoah
Ghana national under-17 football team suffered a devastating exit from the race to the 2026 FIFA U-17 World Cup after losing 8-7 on penalties to Uganda national under-17 football team following a thrilling 2-2 draw in their playoff clash at the TotalEnergies CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.
The Black Starlets looked set to secure qualification after leading late into the game, but a dramatic stoppage-time penalty from Coach Laryea Kingston-led Uganda team forced the contest into a tense shootout that ultimately ended Ghana’s hopes of returning to the global tournament.
Uganda Snatch Qualification In Added Time
Ghana started brightly and took an early lead in the ninth minute through Emmanuel Gyamfi after a well-worked move initiated by Latif Wunzalgu.
The Black Starlets controlled large spells of the opening half and appeared determined to avoid another heartbreaking setback after narrowly missing automatic qualification from the group stage.
However, Uganda responded strongly and drew level in the 34th minute through Owen Mukisa to send the two sides into halftime tied at 1-1.
Coach Prosper Ogum’s side regained the lead shortly after the restart when Wunzalgu, who had already assisted the opener, capped his impressive performance with the second goal in the 51st minute.
Ghana Collapse Near Qualification
With qualification within touching distance, Ghana attempted to manage the game and protect their advantage as Uganda pushed desperately for an equaliser.
The East Africans continued piling pressure on the Black Starlets defence before finally getting their breakthrough deep into added time.
Uganda were awarded a penalty in the 90+1 minute and Arafat Ibanda calmly converted to make it 2-2, silencing the Ghanaian bench and forcing the playoff into penalties.
The late goal completely shifted momentum as Uganda entered the shootout with renewed confidence while Ghana struggled to recover emotionally from conceding so late.
Penalty Shootout Ends In Tears
The shootout turned into a marathon battle with both sides displaying composure from the spot.
For Ghana, Joseph Narbi, Mark Mensah, Latif Wunzalgu, Michael Nyantakyi, Isaac Barfo, Augustine Appiah and Gavi Yao all converted successfully.
Uganda, however, remained flawless throughout the shootout with John Owino, Henry Muhoozi, Babi Abdulshakur Bashir, Brian Olwa, Ibanda Arafat, Mujaid Mbalire, Musa Suuna and Travor Mubiru all finding the net.
The decisive moment arrived when Joseph Kpoeti missed Ghana’s eighth penalty, handing Uganda the victory and qualification to the FIFA U-17 World Cup.
Uganda Secure Historic Qualification
The victory secured Uganda one of Africa’s final two World Cup playoff tickets and completed the continent’s representatives for the tournament in Qatar later this year.
Uganda joined Mozambique national under-17 football team, who earlier defeated Ethiopia on penalties after a 1-1 draw.
The eight quarter-finalists already guaranteed qualification included Morocco national under-17 football team, Cameroon national under-17 football team, Senegal national under-17 football team, Mali national under-17 football team, Ivory Coast national under-17 football team, Egypt national under-17 football team, Tanzania national under-17 football team and Algeria national under-17 football team.
Ghana’s Painful Exit Continues
The result compounded the heartbreak after the Black Starlets had already missed out on automatic qualification in dramatic fashion earlier in the tournament.
Ghana finished level on points, goals scored, goals conceded and goal difference with Algeria in Group D, while their head-to-head meeting ended 2-2.
CAF regulations therefore required a drawing of lots to separate the two teams, with Algeria progressing to the quarter-finals while Ghana were pushed into the playoff route.
Despite showing resilience by defeating South Africa 3-1 in their final group match to keep qualification hopes alive, the Black Starlets ultimately fell short in agonising fashion.
