Black Starlets Head Coach Dr Prosper Narteh Ogum has released his squad for the 2026 CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco.
Dr. Ogum named a 22-man squad for the upcoming continental showpiece.
The squad comprises three goalkeepers, seven defenders, six midfielders and six forwards, reflecting the technical balance the coaching staff have sought to achieve after months of rigorous preparation.
The named squad is as follows:
GOALKEEPERS: Solomon Kesse, Michael Armah, John Annan
DEFENDERS: Mujahid Osman, Kingsley Fosu, Issah Rafiu, Essau Atsu Kpoeti, Nicholas Essuman, Jacob Etse Kpoeti, Gabriel Denyinah
MIDFIELDERS: Isaac Barfo, Augustine Appiah, Michael Awuli, Michael Nyantakyi, Eric Adu Gyamfi, Mark Kagawa Mensah
FORWARDS: Mark Aboagye, Latif Abdul Wunzalgu, Joseph Narbi, Gavi Robinho Yao, Clement Agyei, David Ofori
The tournament will start on Wednesday, May 13 to June 2, bringing together 16 of the continent’s best youth sides, including defending champions Morocco and strong contenders Mali and Senegal.
Ghana will face 2023 champions Senegal, Algeria and South Africa in Group D.
The Black Starlets head into the competition as the second most successful nation in the tournament’s history, having lifted the trophy twice in 1995 and 1999 while also finishing as runners-up in 2005 and 2017.
Ghana booked their place in the competition after finishing second at the 2025 WAFU Zone B U-17 Championship in Ivory Coast — a result that ended their long absence from the continental showpiece since 2017.
The stakes are high beyond continental glory.
All eight quarter-finalists will automatically qualify for the next edition of the FIFA U-17 World Cup, while two additional best third-placed teams will join them to complete Africa’s ten representatives at the tournament.
Two-time champions of the competition, the Starlets are targeting a strong showing as they seek to reassert their status among Africa’s elite.
