Ghana’s National U-15 Boys team, the Black Comets, have secured a place in the quarter-finals of the FIFA U-15 World Cup and Festival in Azerbaijan after recording an emphatic 5-2 victory over Mexico on Wednesday, October 28, 2026.

Shamsudeen Sulemana delivered a remarkable performance, scoring four goals to lead Ghana to victory, while Abdul Aziz Issah also found the back of the net to complete an impressive attacking display.

The Black Comets continued their winning run despite playing two matches on the same day. Ghana had earlier defeated Korea Republic 2-1 in the Round of 32 before producing another strong performance to overcome Mexico in the Round of 16.

The victory extends Ghana’s unbeaten winning streak in the tournament to seven matches, underlining the team’s impressive form and attacking strength.

Ghana began their campaign with a 4-1 win over Uzbekistan before recording convincing victories against Myanmar, Guam and the Bahamas. They followed those results with a 2-1 victory over Kazakhstan to complete the group stage with a perfect record.

The young side then eliminated Korea Republic before dispatching Mexico to move into the last eight.

With seven consecutive victories behind them, the Black Comets will now await their quarter-final opponents as they continue their pursuit of glory in Azerbaijan.

Sulemana’s four-goal performance against Mexico will be a major highlight of Ghana’s campaign, as the team looks to maintain its momentum in the knockout stages.

Ghana’s Black Maidens booked their place in the next round after beating Argentina 5-4 on penalties following a 1-1 draw in regulation time, with Jessica Appiah Asamoah converting the decisive spot kick.

Jessica Appiah Asamoah gave Ghana the lead in the 16th minute, putting the Black Maidens in front in a closely contested encounter.

Ghana thought they had doubled their advantage in the 50th minute when Cynthia Obinsrewuo found the net, but the goal was ruled out for offside. She was substituted two minutes later, with Priscilla Mensah coming on in her place.

The Black Maidens suffered a setback in the 72nd minute when captain Seidatu Wahab was forced off through injury, making way for Belinda Kpentey.

Ghana’s challenge became more difficult in the 77th minute when Hajara Adam received a red card after picking up her second yellow card of the match, leaving the team to continue with ten players.

Argentina capitalised late in the game, drawing level in the 86th minute through Diz. The equaliser followed a free-kick situation after substitute Zeinab Shani fouled an Argentine player shortly after coming on, earning herself a yellow card.

Despite the late setback and numerical disadvantage, Ghana held on through 9 minutes and 10 minutes of added time before the match proceeded to a penalty shootout.

The Black Maidens held their nerve from the spot to secure a 5-4 victory. Essenam converted Ghana’s first penalty, followed by Christiana Ashiaku, while captain Osman scored the third. Juliana Gyekyewaa converted the fourth before Jessica Appiah Asamoah stepped up to score the decisive kick and seal Ghana’s victory.

Goalkeeper Belinda Maku Aklie was also instrumental in keeping Ghana in the contest, producing several important saves during the match before conceding Argentina’s equaliser. She continued to make crucial interventions to help keep the Black Maidens in contention.

The victory sends Ghana through to the next round, where they will face either Japan or Kenya, depending on the outcome of their match.

For the Black Maidens, it was a test of resilience, composure and determination as they overcame a late equaliser, a red card and the pressure of a penalty shootout to keep their campaign alive.

Africa will have four representatives in the Round of 16 of the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco, marking the continent’s best-ever showing at this stage of the competition.

Nigeria, Ghana, hosts Morocco and Kenya have all secured places in the knockout phase, surpassing the previous record of three African teams set in 2025.

Nigeria’s Flamingos recovered from a 2-1 opening defeat to Poland to record consecutive victories over Puerto Rico and defending champions North Korea. A 2-0 win over Puerto Rico was followed by an impressive 3-1 triumph against North Korea, earning Nigeria second place in Group B with six points.

Ghana’s Black Maidens also finished second in Group C with four points. After losing 3-0 to Norway and drawing 3-3 with Brazil, Ghana secured qualification with a crucial 2-0 victory over Canada in their final group match. Goals from Linda Achiaa and Christiana Ashiaku sealed the win.

Hosts Morocco progressed as one of the best third-placed teams, collecting three points in Group A despite suffering defeats to Germany and Argentina. Their campaign began with a 4-0 victory over New Zealand, but back-to-back losses left them needing results elsewhere to confirm their place in the last 16.

Kenya’s Junior Starlets also advanced as one of the best third-placed teams after finishing Group E with three points. Following defeats to China PR and the United States, Kenya responded emphatically with a 4-0 victory over Samoa to secure a historic place in the knockout stage.

However, Zambia’s campaign ended in disappointment. The Copper Princesses lost all three of their Group D matches, bowing out without a point.

Attention now turns to the Round of 16, where all four African teams will face demanding tests.

Ghana take on Argentina on Wednesday, October 28, while hosts Morocco face North Korea on the same day. Nigeria meet Mexico on Thursday, October 29, with Kenya taking on Japan.

With four nations still carrying Africa’s hopes, the continent will be aiming to build on this historic achievement and secure further progress in Morocco.

Ghana’s Black Maidens will face Argentina in the Round of 16 of the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco on Wednesday, October 28, with a place in the quarter-finals at stake.

Argentina head into the knockout encounter after winning two of their three Group A matches, demonstrating their attacking threat ahead of the meeting with Ghana.

The South Americans began their campaign with a narrow 2-1 defeat to Germany before bouncing back with a 2-0 victory over New Zealand. They finished the group stage strongly, thrashing hosts Morocco 5-1 in their final fixture to secure progression to the knockout phase.

Argentina scored eight goals and conceded three across their three group matches, finishing second in Group A behind Germany.

The 2026 tournament also marks Argentina’s debut at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup, adding further significance to their progress into the last 16.

Ghana, meanwhile, booked their place in the knockout stage with a crucial 2-0 victory over Canada in their final Group C match. After opening their campaign with a 3-0 loss to Norway and drawing 3-3 with Brazil, the Black Maidens responded with a determined performance to secure qualification.

Goals from substitutes Linda Achiaa and Christiana Ashiaku sealed the win over Canada, while goalkeeper Belinda Maku Aklie recorded her first clean sheet of the tournament.

The victory lifted Ghana to four points in Group C and gave Coach Joe Nana Adarkwa’s side renewed confidence heading into the knockout stage.

Argentina’s emphatic win over Morocco highlights the attacking challenge Ghana must prepare for, but the Black Maidens will also take encouragement from their response after a difficult start to the competition.

The Round of 16 encounter is scheduled for Wednesday, October 28, at 6:00 p.m. GMT. Ghana will be aiming to overcome the South Americans and secure a place in the quarter-finals.