Ghana Youth Teams Gear Up: Black Starlets Arrive in Morocco for AFCON as Princesses Seek World Cup Berth in Uganda

Ghana’s youth football teams are entering a pivotal phase in their respective international campaigns as both the Black Starlets and the Black Princesses prepare for high-stakes encounters across the continent. The U-17 men’s team, the Black Starlets, have landed in Morocco to begin their quest for the 2026 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) title, while the U-20 women’s team, the Black Princesses, have arrived in Kampala, Uganda, determined to secure a ticket to the 2026 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup. These concurrent missions highlight a busy period for Ghanaian football as the nation seeks to reaffirm its status as a powerhouse in youth development.

The Black Starlets, led by head coach Dr. Prosper Nartey Ogum, arrived in Casablanca following a motivational farewell from Ghana Football Association (GFA) President Kurt Edwin Simeon-Okraku at the Accra International Airport. Okraku urged the 21-man squad to exhibit resilience and unity, reminding them that "it’s not over until it’s all over" and stressing the importance of responding positively to setbacks. Ghana has been placed in a challenging Group D alongside Algeria, Senegal, and South Africa. Following positive results in recent friendly matches against Ivory Coast, the technical team remains confident that this squad is ready to reclaim Ghana’s historical dominance in African youth football when their campaign begins on May 14.

Simultaneously, the Black Princesses are focused on finishing their qualification task in Kampala against Uganda. Holding a 2-1 advantage from the first leg, head coach Charles Sampson has expressed strong confidence in his 23-player squad’s ability to navigate the challenges of playing away from home, including adapting to the local altitude. Sampson emphasized the importance of discipline and mental readiness as the team aims for its eighth consecutive World Cup appearance. The crucial second-leg match is scheduled for May 9, with the ultimate goal of securing a spot at the global showpiece in Poland.

These campaigns represent a significant moment for the GFA’s talent development strategy, emphasizing both competitive success and player growth. Whether it is the Starlets fighting to restore continental glory in Rabat or the Princesses striving to maintain their perfect qualification record, the focus remains on mental fortitude and national pride. As both teams finalize their preparations on foreign soil, Ghanaian football fans are expectant that these young ambassadors will deliver the results necessary to keep the nation’s flag flying high on the international stage.