Black Starlets head coach Kassim Mingle Ocansey has hinted at rotating his squad for Ghana’s final Group A fixture against hosts Burkina Faso at the ongoing WAFU B U-17 Championship as the team balances player management with its ambition to maintain a winning run.
Ghana face Burkina Faso at the 4th August Stadium on Friday, October 16, having already secured a place in the semi-finals following victories over Togo and Benin in their opening two matches.
With qualification for the last four confirmed, Kassim Mingle could make changes to his starting lineup to preserve the fitness of key players ahead of the knockout stage.
However, the Ghana coach has stressed that securing progression will not diminish his team’s determination to compete for another victory.
“We take every game very competitive and our focus is to win all our games. We are focused on what brought us here but we’ll give some players rest. It doesn’t matter whether we’ve qualified or not.”
Kassim Mingle Ocansey, Black Starlets head coach
With the championship also serving as the qualifiers for the 2027 U-17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), the four-time champions are seeking a return to the tournament, having failed to make significant impact at the previous edition, and will be keen to build on their promising start as they pursue qualification for the 2027 tournament.
Ocansey Warns Against Complacency
The Black Starlets coach acknowledged that managing the players’ workload would be an important consideration as Ghana prepare for the semi-finals, where the demands of the competition are expected to increase.
With a place in the knockout stage secured, the final group game presents an opportunity to give some regular starters a rest while allowing other members of the squad to gain valuable minutes.
Mingle, however, is wary of the danger of complacency and insists that any adjustments to his team will not affect Ghana’s approach to the contest against the hosts.
“You may not see all our players starting but we will still be competitive. We can’t risk our players because we will need fresh legs for the semi-final but we will not be complacent against Burkina Faso.”
Kassim Mingle Ocansey, Black Starlets head coach
His comments suggest that while Ghana could approach the fixture with a different combination of players, the team’s collective responsibility to deliver a competitive performance remains unchanged.
Facing the tournament hosts also presents a test of the Starlets’ discipline and mentality. Ghana will need to maintain their concentration and tactical organisation against a Burkina Faso side determined to secure a place in the semi-finals.
A positive result would allow the Starlets to complete the group stage with maximum points, strengthening their confidence ahead of the decisive fixtures.
AFCON Qualification Remains the Ultimate Prize
Beyond the immediate objective of progressing through the WAFU B U-17 Championship, Ghana’s campaign carries the additional importance of securing a return to the continental stage.
The WAFU Zone B competition offers three qualification places for the 2027 U-17 AFCON. The winners of both semi-final matches will secure automatic qualification, with the winner of the third-place playoff claiming the remaining ticket.
That qualification structure leaves little room for error once the tournament reaches the knockout stage, making the management of player fitness an important factor in Ghana’s preparations.
The Starlets will therefore be hoping to enter the semi-finals with their key players rested and ready for the challenge, while maintaining the momentum generated by their opening victories.
For Ocansey, the task is to strike the right balance between protecting his squad and ensuring that Ghana remain competitive throughout the tournament.
Although the coach has left the door open for changes against Burkina Faso, he will be determined to avoid a drop in performance that could undermine the team’s progress.
With their semi-final place secured, the Black Starlets have an opportunity to finish the group stage strongly before turning their attention to the knockout rounds, where victory would bring them one step closer to a return to the U-17 AFCON.
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