Ghana’s Black Starlets booked their ticket to the 2025 Africa U-17 Cup of Nations after a commanding 2-0 victory over Nigeria’s Golden Eaglets in the semi-final of the WAFU Zone B U-17 Championship on Tuesday.
The highly anticipated clash in Accra lived up to its billing, with the Starlets flying out of the blocks to take control of the game early on.
Michael Awuli opened the scoring with a well-taken strike, before Robinho Yao Gavi doubled Ghana’s advantage moments later, leaving Nigeria with a mountain to climb.
Despite Nigeria’s attempts to fight back, Ghana’s organized defense and relentless pressing kept the Golden Eaglets at bay.
The Nigerians, five-time U-17 world champions, struggled to create clear chances and were ultimately undone by Ghana’s tactical discipline and clinical finishing.
The result means Nigeria will miss the CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations for the third consecutive edition,
Once dominant at youth level, the Golden Eaglets have endured a steady decline, failing to qualify for the global stage since 2019.
For Ghana, the victory is a statement of intent under head coach Dr. Prosper Narteh Ogum.
Having edged Niger 3-1 in their final group game, the Starlets showed remarkable improvement, securing their first clean sheet of the tournament at the perfect moment.
The win not only ensures Ghana’s return to the continental showpiece for the first time since 2019 but also sets up a mouthwatering WAFU B final against hosts Côte d’Ivoire.
Both finalists are already guaranteed AFCON spots, but the trophy remains firmly up for grabs.
This triumph also signals a resurgence in Ghana’s youth football, rekindling hopes of restoring their once-glorious reputation on the African stage.