WAFU Zone B U-17 Championship: Seth Panwum questions Black Starlets’ decision to travel to Burkina Faso by road

Former National Sports Authority (NSA) Board Chairman Seth Panwum Boyoyo has questioned the decision to send Ghana’s Black Starlets to Burkina Faso by road for the 2026 WAFU Zone B Under-17 Championship.

The former Wa All Stars general manager said the welfare and safety of the teenage players should have been prioritised, given the length of the journey and security concerns in parts of the Sahel region.

The Black Starlets travelled about 960km by bus from Ghana to Ouagadougou, with the journey taking more than 20 hours.

Speaking to Adom FM in an interview, Boyoyo questioned why the team was not flown to Burkina Faso.

“Why will you subject people's children to that ordeal? Anything could have happened to them on the way,” he said.

The team had spent four days training at the Winkogo Technical Centre in Bolgatanga before making the road trip to the Burkinabe capital.

Boyoyo also questioned the role of the Ministry of Sports and Recreation in approving the travel arrangements.

“And what did the ministry also do about it? These are the questions you journalists should be asking the government,” he added.

He said the Under-17 team was particularly important to Ghana's football development because it represents the foundation of the country's national-team system.

“If we are talking about the foundation of Ghana football, the U-17 is where Ghana football starts,” Boyoyo said.

He warned that exposing young players to what he described as unnecessary risks could have consequences for Ghana's long-term football development.

“And if you put these kids through these dangers, do you think it's worth sacrificing?” he asked.

Boyoyo also pointed to security concerns associated with travelling through parts of the region, citing the 2010 attack on the Togo national team in Angola as an example of the dangers football teams can face while travelling.

He further challenged the authorities to consider whether they would make the same decision if the players were their own children.

“In private life, will the sports minister allow his kids to go to Burkina Faso by road?” he said.

The Black Starlets' trip came just days after their return from Morocco, where they played two friendly matches against the hosts.

Ghana won the first game 2-0 before losing the second 2-1 with the final kick of the match.

The Black Starlets have arrived safely in Ouagadougou and there have been no reported security incidents involving the team during the journey.

Ghana will begin their WAFU Zone B campaign against Togo at the 4th August Sports Stadium in Ouagadougou on 10 October.

They will then face Benin on 13 October before playing hosts Burkina Faso on 16 October.

The tournament also serves as the qualifying competition for the 2027 U-17 Africa Cup of Nations, with the two finalists securing qualification for the continental tournament.