Black Starlets to Face Uganda Cubs in World Cup Qualification Play-Off

Ghana's Black Starlets will clash with Uganda's Cubs in a crucial FIFA U17 World Cup qualification play-off, following the group stage conclusion at the 2026 U17 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.

Ghana finished third in Group D, level on points, goals scored, and goals conceded with Algeria, but the North Africans advanced as group runners-up after winning the drawing of lots. As a result, the Black Starlets will compete for one of Africa’s remaining World Cup slots through the play-off route.

Uganda, who also finished third in Group B, will face Ghana in a decisive encounter on Saturday. FIFA allocated 10 slots to Africa for the FIFA U17 World Cup in Qatar later this year. The top eight teams in the U17 AFCON quarter-finals automatically qualified for the global tournament, while the remaining two slots will be decided through play-off matches involving the four third-placed teams.

Ghana will face Uganda in the play-off, while the other third-placed teams compete for the final qualification places. The Black Starlets are confident after their 3-1 victory over South Africa, led by Captain Joseph Narbi's two penalties and Augustine Appiah's powerful strike.

Head Coach Dr. Prosper Narteh Ogum and his team will intensify preparations for the crucial clash as Ghana seeks to return to the FIFA U17 World Cup.

The encounter against Uganda promises to be fiercely contested, with both sides aware that victory guarantees qualification to the world's biggest youth football competition.