Coach Kassim Ocansey Mingle and his technical team are set to embark on a nationwide scouting exercise aimed at identifying the next generation of talent for Ghana's U-17 national team ahead of the WAFU Zone B U-17 Championship scheduled for November 2026.
The extensive talent identification programme forms part of the Association's long-term strategy to strengthen the Black Starlets by providing equal opportunities for promising young footballers across the country to showcase their abilities. The exercise is expected to unearth talented players who could form the nucleus of the next Black Starlets squad.
The scouting tour will commence in the Upper West Region on Thursday, June 18, 2026, at the Malik Jabir Sports Stadium in Wa before moving to the Upper East Region on Saturday, June 20, 2026, at the Kurt E.S. Okraku Technical Center in Winkongo, Bolgatanga. The Northern Regional exercise will follow on June 22 and 23 at the Aliu Mahama Sports Stadium in Tamale.
The technical team will then continue to the Brong Ahafo Region, where scouting sessions will be held at the Nana Koromansah II Park in Twumasikrom near Nsuatre on June 25 and at the Ohene Ameyaw Park in Techiman on June 26. Attention will subsequently shift to the Ashanti Region with exercises scheduled for June 28 at the Sofoline Alignment AstroTurf in Kumasi and June 29 at the Obuasi SecTech School Park.
The nationwide search will continue in the Western Region on July 1 at Mampiobo Park in Juaboso and on July 2 at Kobby's Park in Takoradi. Scouts will then move to the Central Region on July 4 at the Senya Breku Astro Turf before heading to the Eastern Region for a two-day exercise at the Koforidua Sports Stadium on July 6 and 7.
The final phase of the talent hunt will take place in the Volta Region at the Ho Sports Stadium on July 9 before concluding in the Greater Accra Region with sessions at the Alajo AstroTurf on July 11 and the Tema Sports Stadium on July 12. All sessions are scheduled to begin at 9:00 a.m., except the Ashanti Regional exercise at the Sofoline Alignment AstroTurf, which will start at 10:00 a.m.
Coach Kasim Mingle leading the scouting exercise and preparation of the next Black Starlets squad does not mean that the Dr. Prosper Narteh Ogum-led technical team has been dissolved or relieved of its responsibilities. Rather, the arrangement forms part of a new technical development strategy designed to provide coaches with adequate time to scout, identify talent and prepare teams thoroughly for major competitions.
Under the new structure, Kasim Mingle and his technical team will oversee the scouting and preparation of the squad for the 2026 WAFU Zone B U-17 Championship and, subsequently, the U-17 Africa Cup of Nations and FIFA U-17 World Cup should the team secure qualification. At the same time, the Dr. Prosper Narteh Ogum-led technical team will begin work on another cycle, focusing on talent identification and preparations for the 2027 WAFU Zone B U-17 Championship and the subsequent continental and global tournaments which are now played on yearly basis.
The initiative reflects the Association's commitment to creating a sustainable pipeline of talent for Ghana's youth national teams, ensuring continuity, long-term planning and adequate preparation for future international competitions while broadening the pool of players available for national team selection.
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