Cote d’Ivoire secured their place at the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations U17 by beating Ghana 1-0 in the semi-final of the UFOA-B qualifying tournament in Ouagadougou.

The Elephanteaux will also contest the regional final, with their opponents to be confirmed after the second semi-final later on Tuesday.

The decisive goal came in the 77th minute, ending the Black Starlets’ unbeaten run in the competition and sending Cote d’Ivoire through to the tournament in Morocco.

The match was played on Tuesday, 20 October, with victory delivering two rewards for Cote d’Ivoire: a place in the UFOA-B final and one of the two qualification places available to the zone for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations U17.

Ghana had entered the last-four tie after an impressive group-stage campaign. The Black Starlets finished top of Group A with seven points, beating Togo 1-0 and Benin 3-1 before drawing 0-0 with Burkina Faso.

Their team is coached by former international Laryea Kingston.

Cote d’Ivoire faced a more competitive route through Group B. They secured their place in the semi-finals after drawing 1-1 with Nigeria and finished second in the group behind Niger.

That draw proved sufficient to keep their qualification hopes alive, while Tuesday’s narrow victory over Ghana confirmed their progress to the continental tournament.

Cote d’Ivoire are the first team from the UFOA-B zone to qualify for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations U17. The second place will go to the winner of the other semi-final between Niger and Burkina Faso.

Niger reached the last four after a surprise group-stage campaign in which they finished first in Group B. Their results included a 2-1 victory over Nigeria. Burkina Faso finished second in Group A behind Ghana.

The Elephanteaux will discover their opponents for the regional final later on Tuesday evening. Their main objective, however, has already been achieved: Cote d’Ivoire will be at the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations U17 in Morocco.