WAFU Zone B U-17 Championship: Black Starlets loss to Ivory Coast painful, says head coach Kasim Mingle

Black Starlets head coach Kassim Ocansey has described Ghana’s 1-0 defeat by Ivory Coast in the semi-finals of the 2026 WAFU Zone B U17 Championship as painful, insisting his side could have won the match before being reduced to 10 men.

Ghana’s hopes of reaching the final and qualifying for the 2027 U17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco were dashed following the defeat at the 4th August Stadium in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.

The Black Starlets were forced to play with 10 men from the 17th minute after Daniel Owusu was sent off, putting them at a disadvantage in their bid to overcome their West African rivals.

Despite the numerical disadvantage, Ghana held the Young Elephants goalless in the first half and continued to create opportunities after the break.

However, Ivory Coast eventually found the breakthrough in the 76th minute when Alex Fousseni Bamba scored from close range to send his side into the final.

Speaking after the match, Ocansey expressed his disappointment, arguing that Ghana had been in control before the red card and had created chances to win despite playing with a man less.

“It was a game we could have won. It was a game we were controlling until the red card on the 17th minute. Even after that, we created some good chances but missed them. And considering the time Ivory Coast scored, it's really painful,” he said.

The defeat brings Ghana’s campaign to an end and ends their hopes of qualifying for the 2027 U17 AFCON in Morocco through the tournament.

Ivory Coast, meanwhile, advanced to the final and secured qualification for the continental competition.