Ghana’s U17 national team, the Black Starlets, began their 2026 WAFU Zone B U17 Championship campaign with a 1-0 victory over Togo in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso. However, head coach Kassim Ocansey believes his players must improve their finishing despite securing all three points.
Ghana secured the crucial Group A win through an early goal from David Kwarteng, who found the back of the net in the 7th minute of the encounter.
Despite the positive result, Coach Ocansey expressed mixed feelings after the match, explaining that the Black Starlets created several scoring opportunities but failed to convert enough of them into goals.
Speaking after the game, the Ghana U17 coach said he was pleased with the victory but expected a better attacking performance from his players.
“We won, but I expected more from my boys,” Ocansey said, acknowledging that Ghana could have taken greater advantage of the chances created during the match.
He added that the team’s inability to convert clear opportunities remains an area that requires attention as the competition progresses.
Kassim Ocansey Targets Improved Goal Scoring
Coach Kassim Ocansey remains confident in the Black Starlets’ attacking potential, insisting that better finishing could help Ghana score more goals in their upcoming matches.
According to the coach, the team has the ability to score three or four goals in a game if the players become more clinical in front of goal.
Ocansey revealed that the technical team would work on the squad’s finishing and attacking efficiency ahead of their next fixture in the 2026 WAFU Zone B U17 Championship.
The improvement is expected to be important as Ghana pursue success in the regional tournament and seek qualification for the 2027 U17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
Black Starlets Prepare for Benin Clash
Following their opening-day victory over Togo, the Black Starlets will turn their attention to their next Group A match against Benin, scheduled for Tuesday.
The encounter presents another opportunity for Ghana’s young footballers to build momentum, strengthen their position in the group and move closer to their qualification ambitions.
Although the 1-0 victory provides a strong start to the tournament, Ocansey will be eager to see his players turn their scoring opportunities into more goals against Benin.
Ghanaian football fans will be watching closely to see whether the Black Starlets can maintain their winning form and deliver a more clinical performance in their next match.
Source: newsthemegh.com