BREAKING: Ghana eliminated from U17 AFCON after losing coin toss to Algeria

Ghana's Under-17 men's national football team, the Black Starlets, have been eliminated from the ongoing 2026 U17 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.

This was after Ghana lost a drawing of lots against Algeria in Rabat on Wednesday, May 21, 2026.

GhanaWeb earlier reported that the coin toss was required because Ghana and Algeria, who were in Group D of the tournament, had the same points (4 points) and goal difference (1 goal).

Per CAF rules, the drawing of lots was required to determine who finishes 2nd or 3rd in Group D.

The 2nd-placed team gets automatic qualification to the World Cup and proceeds to the quarter-finals of the AFCON, while the 3rd-placed team would be out of the AFCON but still has the chance to qualify for the World Cup as one of the play-off teams.

This implies that even though Ghana has booked a place in the World Cup, its journey in the AFCON has come to an end.

Senegal, which topped Group D with 6 points, gets automatic qualification to the World Cup and proceeds to the quarter-finals of the AFCON.

Ghana's Under-17 men's team trashed South Africa in the decisive Group D encounter at the 2026 U17 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco on Wednesday, May 21, 2026.

The Black Starlets won the game, which was the last game of the group stage, by 3 goals to 1.

The Black Starlets won the game with 2 goals in the first half, both by forward Joseph Narbi from spot kicks.

South Africa got one goal back in the first half, but Ghana got their 3rd in the second half through substitute midfielder Augustine Appiah.

A 4th goal for Ghana would have given them a goal advantage over Algeria and pushed them through to the quarter-finals of the AFCON and automatic qualification to the World Cup.

The Black Starlets headed into the encounter after picking up one point from their opening two games following a 2-2 draw against Algeria and a narrow defeat to Senegal.

U17 AFCON: Ghana beat South Africa to keep World Cup dream alive

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