Ghana's U17 stars want to bounce back against hosts Burkina Faso on Friday, with coach Kassim Ocansey insisting only a red card stopped them.
Ghana's Black Starlets are aiming to finish the 2026 WAFU Zone B U17 Championship on a high, with a bronze medal on the line against hosts Burkina Faso in Friday's third-place play-off.
The young Ghanaians were knocked out of the title race on Tuesday, losing 1-0 to Ivory Coast in the semi-final. Defender Daniel Owusu was sent off in the 17th minute, forcing Ghana to play most of the contest a man down. Alex Fousseni Bamba punished them in the 76th minute with the only goal of the night.
The result sends Ivory Coast into the final and also books their place at the 2027 U17 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, a double prize that makes the loss sting even more for Ghana.
Head coach Kassim Ocansey, though, is refusing to let heads drop. He believes his side was only beaten because of the numbers disadvantage, and he wants the team to prove it. "We will play for all to know that no team can beat us with 11 v 11," he said, adding that opponents would have to reduce Ghana's numbers to beat them.
Ocansey also pointed to the group stage meeting with Burkina Faso, where he rested seven key players and still came away with a draw. With a full-strength group available, Ghana will go into Friday's clash confident of ending the tournament with a medal around their necks.
