Accra, May 2024 – Ghana’s aspirations for an U-17 Africa Cup of Nations appearance were crushed once again following a narrow 2-1 defeat to Burkina Faso in the semifinals of the WAFU B Championship on Saturday.
The Black Starlets, who had shown great promise with victories over Ivory Coast and Benin in the group stage, faced a formidable challenge against a well-prepared Burkina Faso side at the University of Ghana Stadium in Legon.
Burkina Faso, finishing second in their group, executed a masterful game plan. Playing as underdogs, they allowed Ghana to dominate possession while posing a significant threat on the counter-attack. This strategy proved effective as they secured their place in the competition’s final with a hard-fought victory.
The match began with an early blow for Ghana. Just 12 minutes in, a defensive error allowed Tapsoba to score into an open net, silencing the home crowd. Under the guidance of coach Laryea Kingston, the Black Starlets intensified their attacking efforts. Their persistence paid off in the 27th minute when Joseph Narbi delivered a stunning shot into the top corner from the edge of the penalty area, leveling the score.
Despite a spirited performance, Ghana’s defense faltered once more. Tapsoba capitalized on another lapse, breaking through and placing the ball beyond goalkeeper Emmanuel Armah’s reach to secure his second goal.
Burkina Faso’s disciplined defense held firm, preserving their lead and dashing Ghana’s hopes. This defeat marks the third consecutive time Ghana has failed to qualify for the U-17 AFCON, a significant setback for coach Kingston and his team.
As Burkina Faso advances to the finals, Ghana is left to reflect on what could have been, with the nation eagerly awaiting the next opportunity to reclaim its place in continental football.
