Without injured skipper Seidatu Wahab, Ghana hand Osman Rafia the armband for a huge U-17 Women's World Cup quarter-final against Japan.
Ghana's Black Maidens will chase a World Cup semi-final spot without their captain. Seidatu Wahab has been ruled out through injury, and Osman Rafia steps up to wear the armband in the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup Morocco 2026 quarter-final against Japan.
Head coach Joe Nana Adarkwa has had to rework his XI in other ways too. Hajara Adam misses the tie through suspension after her dismissal in the Round of 16 win over Argentina, and Mavis Koah comes in to take her place in the starting line-up.
Adarkwa has also given Kpentey Belinda a starting berth as he looks to balance the squad against a disciplined Asian opponent. Two big absences hurt, but the changes give fresh legs a chance to shine on a major stage.
The mood in the Ghana camp stays locked on the prize: a place in the last four. Kick-off is set for 3:00 PM at Mohammed VI Football Complex, Pitch 1, where the Black Maidens will look to show the same fight that carried them past Argentina.
