By Belinda Nketia
Ghana’s U-15 girls’ team, the Black Damsels, have etched their name into football history by successfully defending their CAF African Schools Football Championship title. In a high-stakes final in Harare, the Damsels overcame a resilient Burkina Faso side in a marathon penalty shootout, winning 10-9 after the match ended goalless in regulation time.
This victory marks a consecutive continental triumph for the team, solidifying Ghana’s position as the premier destination for school-age women’s football in Africa.
The Road to the Podium
The Damsels’ journey to the 2026 title was a testament to both their offensive firepower and their defensive resolve. They navigated a tough Group B and a tense knockout phase to remain at the top.
| Stage | Opponent | Result | Key Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|
| Group B | Guinea | 6-0 Win | A dominant start with goals from Belinda Kpentey (6′), Jennifer Awuku (8′), Mavis Koah (19′), Margaret Tawiah (22′, 30′), and Janet Eyram (35′). |
| Group B | Tanzania | 2-1 Win | A hard-fought victory that effectively secured their progression. |
| Group B | Burkina Faso | 0-1 Loss | Their only setback of the tournament, serving as a wake-up call before the semi-finals. |
| Semi-Final | Zambia | 1-0 Win | Blessing Tettey scored the winner in the 7th minute to book a spot in the final. |
| Grand Final | Burkina Faso | 0-0 (10-9 Pens) | A defensive masterclass followed by a clinical penalty performance to retain the trophy. |
Tournament Excellence
Beyond the collective glory, the Black Damsels swept most of the individual awards.
- Best Player: Jennifer Awuku was named the tournament’s most outstanding player for her playmaking and leadership on the field.
- Top Scorer: Margaret Tawiah finished as one of the competition’s leading threats with three goals.
- Golden Glove: The Ghanaian defense, anchored by stellar goalkeeping, conceded only two goals in open play throughout the entire campaign.
This back-to-back success ensures that the $300,000 prize money will go toward further developing sports and educational infrastructure in Ghanaian schools, to further continue the legacy of this “golden generation”.The CAF African Schools Football Championship was launched by CAF President Dr. Patrice Motsepe in 2022. This initiative uses the power of football to drive social change and educational excellence in African schools.
