Kassim Ocansey urges GFA to maintain current Black Starlets squad

Kassim Ocansey, the head coach of Ghana's national U17 team, the Black Starlets, has called on the Ghana Football Association (GFA) to keep the current squad intact to ensure long-term progress. The recommendation follows the team's performance at the 2026 WAFU Zone B U17 Championship recently held in Burkina Faso. Ocansey argues that the current group of players represents a vital investment in the future of the nation's football and should remain together to build on their existing chemistry.

The coach emphasized that fostering a culture of consistency and continuity within the youth ranks is critical for building a robust foundation for Ghana’s senior national teams. According to Ocansey, maintaining this specific group will allow the players to develop stronger on-field partnerships and gain collective international experience that is difficult to replicate with new selections. He believes that by keeping these players together through their developmental stages, the GFA can ensure a more effective transition to the U20 level and eventually the senior national team.

Ocansey’s appeal addresses a long-standing concern in Ghanaian football regarding the transition of talent from youth categories to the professional stage. By advocating for the sustained development of the 2026 WAFU squad, the head coach aims to create a more reliable pipeline of talent. He remains confident that if the association commits to keeping this group active and engaged, it will significantly contribute to the future success and competitive resurgence of Ghanaian football on the continental stage.