Black Starlets coach Kassim Ocansey says Ghana had what it took to beat Ivory Coast in the semi-finals of the 2026 WAFU Zone B U17 Championship, describing the 1-0 defeat as a bitter disappointment.

Ghana’s hopes suffered a major setback in the 17th minute when defender Daniel Owusu was sent off for a reckless challenge, forcing the team to play with 10 men for the remainder of the match.

Ocansey’s side had looked capable of reaching the final before the dismissal, but the red card shifted the balance in Ivory Coast’s favour.

Despite being a player down, the Starlets created chances but failed to convert them. Their resistance was broken in the 76th minute when Alex Fousseni Bamba scored from close range to give Ivory Coast the lead.

“We had a chance to win this game, and we were playing well before the red card. Even with 10 men, we managed to create opportunities but failed to take them. To concede so late in the game makes the defeat even more painful,” Ocansey said.

Ghana pushed for a late equaliser, with David Kwarteng coming close after receiving a pass from Prince Apam, but his effort drifted wide.

The defeat ends Ghana’s hopes of qualifying for the 2027 U17 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, while Ivory Coast advance to the final with qualification secured.

The Black Starlets will face either Niger or Burkina Faso in the third-place match as they seek to end their campaign with a win.