Ghana’s Black Damsels have been crowned champions of the CAF African Schools Football Championship after a dramatic 9-8 penalty shootout victory over Burkina Faso in the final, sealing a historic back-to-back triumph for the U-15 girls team.

The final, played in Harare, Zimbabwe, ended level after regulation time, pushing both sides into a tense penalty shootout where Ghana held their nerve to emerge victorious. The win confirms the Black Damsels’ dominance at this level, having successfully defended their continental schools title.

Captain Christiana Ashiaku was the standout performer of the tournament, earning the Player of the Tournament award for her leadership and consistent displays throughout the competition.

Ghana’s path to glory included a narrow 1-0 semi-final win over Zambia, where Blessing Tettey scored the decisive goal in the 7th minute to send the defending champions into the final.

In the final shootout, goalkeeper Fadila Musah made a crucial save, while Mukarama Yussif confidently converted the winning penalty to secure Ghana’s triumph.

Beyond the sporting success, Ghana’s victory comes with a significant reward. The Black Damsels will benefit from the tournament’s development prize money of USD 300,000, awarded to the girls’ champions to support school and football development projects.

The CAF African Schools Football Championship, which ran from April 6 to April 10, 2026, continues to play a key role in combining education, football development, and community growth across Africa.

Final standings saw Ghana as girls’ champions, Burkina Faso as runners-up, and Zambia finishing third. In the boys’ category, Senegal claimed the title, Uganda placed second, and Benin finished third.

Ghana’s triumph once again highlights the country’s growing strength in youth women’s football and signals a bright future for the next generation of stars.

Defending champions Ghana’s Black Damsels are set for a crucial semi-final showdown against a formidable Zambia side at the CAF African Schools Football Championship Zimbabwe 2026.

The high-stakes encounter, scheduled for Thursday, April 9, will determine who advances to the grand finale on Friday, April 10, with both nations eyeing continental glory and the coveted prize for school development.

Ghana head into the clash after navigating a mixed Group B campaign. The Black Damsels opened in dominant fashion, thrashing Guinea 6-0 before securing a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Tanzania, with captain Christiana Ashiaku scoring in both halves. Despite a narrow 1-0 defeat to Burkina Faso in their final group game, Ghana did enough to book a place in the semi-finals.

Standing in their way is an in-form Zambia side that has impressed throughout the competition. The Southern Africans arrive unbeaten, having topped Group A with a perfect record. Zambia recorded convincing wins over Zimbabwe (3-1), Morocco (1-0), and DR Congo (3-1), underlining their strength and consistency heading into the knockout stage.

With both teams in strong form, the semi-final promises to be a fiercely contested battle. Ghana will rely on their experience as defending champions, while Zambia will look to maintain their unbeaten run and upset the title holders.

Screenshot

Screenshot

Defending champions Ghana’s Black Damsels made a powerful start to their campaign at the CAF African Schools Football Championship Zimbabwe 2026 tournament.

They crusied to a dominant 6-0 victory over Guinea in their opening Group B match.

Ghana took control early, scoring four goals in the first half through Belinda Kpentey, Jennifer Awuku, Mavis Koah, and Margaret Tawiah to establish a commanding lead before the break.

READ MORE : Match Report : Bibiani Gold Stars 2-1 Nations FC

Margaret Tawiah continued her impressive performance in the second half, adding her second goal of the game before also providing an assist for the sixth goal, which was calmly finished by Janet Eyram Zikpi and sealed a comprehensive win for the Black Damsels.

READ MORE : Ghanaian teenager Taufik Seidu makes Atletico Madrid debut

The result highlights Ghana’s intent to defend their title, with upcoming group stage fixtures against Tanzania and Burkina Faso set to test their momentum.

Watch all six goals here:

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/187q1JjyFK/?mibextid=wwXIfr