The Black Starlets will not be at the 2026 FIFA U-17 World Cup after losing 7-8 on penalties to Uganda in the play-off on Saturday.
The match had ended in a 2-2 draw in full regulation time and had to go straight to penalties.
The two nations were playing for the final ticket to Qatar 2026.
Dr Prosper Narteh Ogum’s side drew first blood in the ninth minute through Eric Gyamfi but the Ugandans equalised through captain Owen Mukisa before the break.
Less than 10 minutes into the second half, Ghana made it 2-1 thanks to an Abdul Latif goal.
But a late video assistant referee (VAR) call led to a handball infringement against Ghana.
The resultant penalty awarded to the East Africans deep into injury time was converted, sending the game straight into penalties.
The first five kicks for both sides were converted, sending the game into sudden deaths.
Uganda topped as they reach the FIFA U-17 World Cup as Africa’s 10th representative.
The already qualified are Tanzania, Ivory Coast, Cameroon, Morocco, Egypt, Mali, Senegal, Algeria and Mozambique.
