The Black Starlets of Ghana missed out on automatic qualification for the 2026 FIFA U-17 World Cup despite a third-place finish.

Dr. Prosper Narteh Ogum’s boys recovered from a stuttering start into the ongoing AFCON U-17 Championship in Rabat, Morocco, to beat South Africa.

The Black Starlets gave themselves another chance of qualification to the global stage through a play-off.

Ghana will take on Uganda, who also finished as one of the third-best group finishers.

Eight teams have booked their spot at the World Cup after qualifying from their group to the quarterfinals of the AFCON.

The remaining two slots, one of which would be contested for when Ghana takes on Uganda