‘Go and Make Ghana Proud’ – GFA Boss Kurt Okraku Urges Black Starlets Ahead of U17 AFCON
Ghana Football Association President Kurt Okraku has charged the Black Starlets to show resilience and make the nation proud as they head into the 2026 U17 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.
Okraku, who accompanied the team to the Accra International Airport on Wednesday morning, drew inspiration from the team’s recent comeback in their double-header friendly against Côte d’Ivoire.
“I’m very happy that when you lost to Ivory Coast in your first game during your friendly matches, you were able to come back—not only to dominate but to outscore them in the second game,” said Okraku.
“I read a lot of meaning into that, and I want all of you to keep that in your heads—that, it’s not over until it’s all over. When the chips are down, that’s when we need to hold each other together. So go out there and make Ghana proud.”
The Black Starlets are returning to the continental showpiece after nine years, having last appeared in 2017 where they finished as runners-up in Gabon.
As two-time African champions, the team travelled with a 21-man squad and 14 officials following an extended camp at the Ghanaman Soccer Center of Excellence in Prampram.
Ghana have been drawn in Group D alongside Algeria, Senegal and South Africa. The competition runs from May 13 to June 2, 2026, with the young team determined to secure qualification for the next FIFA U-17 World Cup.
By: Iddrisu Abdul Rahim
