Ghana's Black Starlets can book a last-four place in Ouagadougou with a win over Benin, and assistant coach Mohammed Hamza says nothing less will do.
Ghana's Black Starlets have a golden chance to reach the semi-finals of the 2026 WAFU Zone B U17 Championship, and they can seal it on Tuesday. A win over Benin at the Stade du 4 Août in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, would send them through to the last four.
The Starlets made a winning start to Group A, edging Togo 1-0 to go top with three points. Benin arrive in a different position after a goalless draw with hosts Burkina Faso in their opener left them on one point. That makes this a high-stakes meeting for both sides.
Assistant coach Mohammed Hamza has made it clear that Ghana respect their opponents but are not intimidated. "We know they will come hard but we are focused on securing qualification to the semi-final. Benin have a very good team, we respect them but we know who we are and what we want. To be the best, you have to beat the best," he said.
Hamza also stressed that the squad is taking the tournament one match at a time. The Togo result is already in the past, and the group's full attention is on Benin. For a young Ghana side chasing continental progress, a second straight win would be a statement and would put them in the semi-finals.
