Abdul Latif Wunzalgu delivered the standout individual performance of Ghana’s campaign at the 2026 Under-17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco on Sunday, earning the Man of the Match award despite the Black Starlets’ painful penalty shootout exit to Uganda in the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) Under-17 World Cup qualification playoff.
The winger was the most dangerous player on the pitch throughout a tense contest that ended 2-2 after normal time before Uganda edged the shootout 8-7 to book their place at the FIFA Under-17 World Cup in Qatar later this year.
Wunzalgu’s influence was evident from the first half, when he provided the assist that set up Eric Adu Gyamfi’s ninth-minute opener. Uganda levelled before halftime, but the winger was not done. After the interval he drove Ghana back in front with a decisive finish of his own, a moment that briefly promised a Ghanaian triumph.
Uganda refused to surrender, however, converting a late penalty in the 90th minute to force the shootout. Ghana ultimately fell short in the extended spot-kick exchange by the narrowest possible margin.
The Man of the Match recognition reflects how consistently Wunzalgu stretched Uganda’s defensive structure throughout the match, combining sharp movement with decisive final-third contributions. His award stands as a rare source of individual pride from an otherwise agonising afternoon for Ghanaian football.
With World Cup qualification now gone, attention shifts to the West African Football Union (WAFU) Zone B Under-17 Championship scheduled for September, which will serve as the next platform for the Black Starlets’ rebuild.
