David Kwarteng's seventh-minute goal gave Ghana a 1-0 win over Togo and a flying start in the race for a place at the 2027 U-17 AFCON.
Ghana's next generation has begun its push for continental glory. The Black Starlets opened the 2026 WAFU Zone B U-17 Championship with a 1-0 win over Togo in Ouagadougou, taking early control of Group A in the qualifiers for the 2027 U-17 Africa Cup of Nations.
David Kwarteng provided the decisive moment just seven minutes into the game at the August 4 Sports Stadium. That early breakthrough gave Kassim Ocansey's side the platform they needed, and it proved to be the only goal of the afternoon.
The Starlets could have made it far more comfortable. Chances kept coming in an entertaining contest, but strikers and creators including Alidu Issah, Yaw Acheampong and Abdul Latif Wunzalgu could not find the finishing touch. Ghana were left to see out the narrow lead, but they still collected all three points.
The result looks even better given what happened elsewhere in the group. Hosts Burkina Faso were held to a goalless draw by Benin, so Ghana lead with three points. Burkina Faso and Benin have one each, and Togo are still waiting for their first point.
It is only matchday one, and Ocansey will want his young attackers to be sharper in front of goal as the tournament moves on. For now, Ghana have the lead in Group A and the early momentum in the chase for a 2027 AFCON ticket.