Ghana’s U-12 rugby stars stun hosts Ivory Coast to claim historic West African title

Ghana’s young rugby union stars have made history by winning the first-ever Marie Koré International Tournament in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, after a thrilling final against the hosts.

The Ghana U-12 rugby union team secured a hard-fought 10-5 victory over Côte d’Ivoire in the championship decider, capping off an impressive campaign at the two-day youth tournament held from 5-6 July at the Technical High School in Abidjan.

A rising force in West African rugby union

The tournament brought together emerging rugby union talents from across the region, with teams from Mali, Burkina Faso, Guinea, Togo, and hosts Côte d’Ivoire battling for supremacy.

Ghana shone in the group stages, finishing second behind an Ivorian side that competed at the 2024 Sainte Dévote Tournament in Monaco.

But when the two teams clashed in the final, Ghana’s young stars rose to the occasion, delivering a standout performance to claim the title.

A platform for the next generation

The Marie Koré International Tournament is a collaboration between the Fédération Ivoirienne de Rugby, Rugby Afrique, World Rugby, and Côte d’Ivoire’s Ministry of Sports and Living Environment.

Designed to develop youth rugby union in Africa, the event provides a crucial pathway for young players to showcase their skills on an international stage.

For Ghana, the victory signals the country’s growing potential in rugby union, with this new generation of players proving they can compete with the best in West Africa.

What’s next for the Ghana Rugby Union?

With momentum building, Ghana’s rugby union future looks bright. Will this win inspire even greater success at junior levels? Could we see these young stars representing Ghana in major tournaments in years to come?

One thing is certain—Ghana’s rugby union revolution is well underway.