Neil Armstrong Mortagbe disappointed as Black Starlets miss out on automatic AFCON U-17 qualification

Head of Public Relations and Strategy at the Ghana Football Association, Neil Armstrong Mortagbe, has expressed disappointment following the Black Starlets’ failure to secure automatic qualification to the knockout stage of the ongoing U-17 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.

Despite a difficult start to the tournament, Ghana ended their group campaign on a positive note with an impressive 3-1 victory over South Africa on Wednesday.

However, the Black Starlets missed out on progression after losing a drawing of lots to Algeria, who advanced to the quarterfinals and also secured qualification for the FIFA U-17 World Cup.

Both Ghana and Algeria finished level on points, goal difference and head-to-head record, forcing tournament organisers to use drawing of lots to determine which team would progress.

Speaking on the outcome, Mortagbe acknowledged that the rules had been communicated to all participating nations before the start of the competition.

"This drawing lots was known to all the participating nations before the tournament," Mortagbe said.

"If there is a tie, there is a way that the tie would be broken…and if it is that the competition rules we use the drawing of lots to break that kind of tie, we use that. It’s unfortunate that it had to be that," he added.

Coach Prosper Narteh Ogum and his side will now turn their attention to a crucial playoff clash against Uganda on Saturday, with a place at the FIFA U-17 World Cup in Qatar still up for grabs.

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