Burkina Faso has been confirmed as host of the zonal phase of the 2026 WAFU B African Schools Football Championship, with the capital, Ouagadougou, set to welcome the region’s young football talents following Nigeria’s withdrawal.
Nigeria had been scheduled to stage the Under-15 competition from December 6 to 9, 2026. However, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) pulled out of the arrangement, forcing a change of venue, and Burkina Faso stepped in to host the tournament.
Organised by the Confederation of African Football (CAF), the African Schools Football Championship gives young players a platform to showcase their abilities while promoting grassroots development and creating opportunities for future stars across the continent.
The zonal event is expected to draw teams from across the sub-region, including Nigeria, Côte d’Ivoire, Togo, Benin, Niger and hosts Burkina Faso, with regional honours and progression to the continental finals at stake.
Ghana will be represented by both its Under-15 boys’ and girls’ teams. The girls’ side, the Black Damsels, enter as silver medallists in the WAFU B zone and defending champions of the CAF African Schools Football Championship. They will be aiming to retain their title and maintain Ghana’s dominance in the competition.
The boys’ team, meanwhile, will look to make a strong impression against their regional counterparts as they chase a place in the next stage of the championship.
BY Wletsu Ransford