The Black Starlets’ hopes of qualifying for the 2026 FIFA U-17 World Cup came to a painful end after suffering an 8-7 penalty shootout defeat to Uganda following a dramatic 2-2 draw in regulation time.
Ghana made the perfect start to the crucial playoff encounter and took the lead in the ninth minute through Eric Adu Gyamfi. The forward produced a composed finish to cap off an impressive attacking move and hand the Black Starlets an early advantage.
Uganda responded strongly as the game progressed and found the equaliser in the 33rd minute from a well-worked corner kick orchestrated by their captain, leaving the contest level at halftime.
The Black Starlets regained the lead shortly after the break when Man-of-the-MatchAbdul Latif struck in the 51st minute to restore Ghana’s advantage and put the team on course for qualification.
Ghana looked set to hold on for victory deep into stoppage time, but Uganda were awarded a penalty in the 90+2nd minute and converted from the spot to force the game into a shootout after a 2-2 draw at full-time.
The penalty shootout proved tense and dramatic, with both sides converting consistently before Ghana missed a decisive kick. Uganda calmly converted their final penalty to secure an 8-7 shootout victory and book their place at the 2026 FIFA U-17 World Cup.
The result marks a heartbreaking end to Ghana’s campaign, with the Black Starlets falling just short of a return to the global tournament after a spirited performance against the East Africans.
