The regrouping forms part of Ghana’s ongoing preparations for the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup qualifier against South Africa, scheduled for February 2026.

The Black Princesses booked their place in the third round of the qualifiers after an emphatic 4–0 aggregate victory over Tunisia.

They are set to host South Africa in the first leg in early February before travelling for the return fixture later in the month.

US-based defenders Alexandra Tay of Stanford University and Jenna Kayla Sarpong from Auburn University have earned invitations to join the squad.

All selected players are expected to report to camp on Friday, January 2, 2026.

Invited squad below:

The Dreamz Ladies playmaker delivered a stellar performance throughout the tournament, scoring two goals and providing an assist in Ghana’s four matches.

Despite her individual brilliance, Ghana’s U-20 women’s team were unable to retain their title, finishing as runners-up after a narrow defeat to Nigeria’s Falconets in the final.

Nyarko succeeds Stella Nyamekye, who won the maiden edition of the award in Kumasi.

The tournament also gave head coach Charles Sampson a key opportunity to evaluate his squad and make tactical adjustments ahead of Ghana’s upcoming FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup qualifier against South Africa.

Ghana came into the fixture on the back of a 2-0 win over Benin in the early hours of Monday.

Head coach for the side, Charles Sampson, made three changes to the starting lineup, with Theresa Darko, Mary Amponsah, and Fatima Fuseini all coming into the starting lineup.

Nigeria dominated the game and finished the first half two goals up, with Janet Akeremkowei scoring a free kick in the 15th minute, and Alaba Olabiyi adding the second in the 23rd minute.

Ghana came close to scoring with efforts from Mary Amponsah, Linda Owusu, and Sarah Nyarko, but were unable to beat the Nigerian goalkeeper.

The Falconets scored a third in the closing stage to seal the win and claim a double over Ghana, having already beaten them in their first encounter in the competition.

Head coach Charles Sampson views this as a valuable learning experience, allowing him to assess his team ahead of future assignments.

The Black Princesses end their tournament campaign, finishing second. They won two games, both against Benin, while losing two against Nigeria.

Ghana had begun their campaign on a bright note with a 2-0 win over host nation Benin, but were undone by Nigeria’s clinical finishing in their second group game.

Janet Seimeyeha led the charge for the Falconets with a brace, while Chiamaka Favour added a late third to secure victory. Sarah Nyarko netted Ghana’s only goal, her second of the tournament.

Seimeyeha opened the scoring from the penalty spot in the 38th minute after a foul inside the box, before doubling Nigeria’s advantage with a deft chip over the goalkeeper just before halftime.

Nyarko offered Ghana a lifeline shortly after the restart, pouncing on a rebound in the 49th minute after her teammate’s effort came off the crossbar.

But despite their improved second-half display, the Princesses were punished again late on, as Chiamaka headed home from a corner in the 88th minute to wrap up the win.

Ghana will look to bounce back when they face Benin on Monday, November 10, 2025, at 10:00 GMT.

The squad boasts a strong domestic core, led by Dreamz Ladies’ key trio: Sarah Nyarko, Ivy Owusu Osei, and Precious Asante.

They are joined by Black Queens forward Mary Amponsah, whose senior international experience is expected to provide leadership to the youthful team.

Ampem Darkoa Ladies contribute three players — Aishetu Awinimi, Diana Amoako, and Linda Owusu Ansah — while in-form striker Agnes Yeboah earns a call-up after scoring a brace for Jonina Ladies in the opening day of the Malta Guinness Women’s Premier League.

Hasaacas Ladies midfielder Rubby Osei also makes the squad, adding further depth to the midfield.

Squad below:

The competition will be played in a round-robin format involving hosts Benin, Ghana and Nigeria, after Niger withdrew from the tournament.

Ghana enter the campaign as defending champions, having lifted the inaugural title on home soil in Kumasi in 2023.

The Black Starlets are yet to receive their entitlements following their impressive run at the recently concluded WAFU B U-17 Championship in Ivory Coast, where they finished as runners-up.

Similarly, the Black Princesses, who are in the thick of qualifying matches for the 2026 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in Poland, are awaiting payments despite progressing to the next stage of the qualifiers after eliminating Tunisia.

The Black Queens, on the other hand, earned a commendable third-place finish at the 2025 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco, their first podium finish at the continental tournament since 2018.

Speaking in an interview with Asempa FM’s Ultimate Sports Show, Mr Adams, who also serves as the Member of Parliament for the Buem Constituency, admitted that the Ministry owes the three national teams but assured that efforts are underway to clear all outstanding debts.

“It is not as if we had the money there, and we decided not to pay the Black Starlets during the WAFU B tournament. Per diems for the Black Starlets will be paid. Not only them alone, but the Black Princesses as well,” Adams said.

“I have gotten the approval, but when the money hits the Ministry’s account, we will pay them. We also have to pay the Black Queens some arrears, and so we are all doing our best to clear all these arrears,” he added.

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In the return leg played on Sunday afternoon, Mercy Attobrah opened the scoring in the 37th minute after Ghana had squandered a couple of early opportunities.

Ivy Osei Owusu nearly doubled the lead with a brilliant solo effort, but her strike narrowly missed the target as the Princesses went into halftime with a slim advantage.

Head coach Charles Sampson’s tactical changes after the break paid off immediately. Substitute Agnes Yeboah made an instant impact, scoring with her very first touch in the 46th minute to extend Ghana’s lead.

Despite creating several more chances, the Princesses were unable to add to their tally, with Tunisia’s stubborn defense holding firm.

Nonetheless, the result sealed a 2-0 victory on the day, adding to their first-leg advantage to complete a 4-0 aggregate triumph.

Ghana will now face South Africa in February in the third round of the qualifiers as they continue their bid for a place at the U20 Women’s World Cup.

The Al Ahly striker, who only linked up with the squad in Tunisia, was handed a starting role by head coach Charles Sampson.

Leading the attack alongside Linda Owusu Ansah and Zeinab Haruna, Attobrah wasted no time in making her presence felt, breaking the deadlock inside five minutes to hand Ghana the lead.

Despite creating several chances, the Black Princesses were unable to extend their advantage before halftime, with poor finishing keeping the margin narrow at the break.

Attobrah, however, doubled her tally after the restart, unleashing a superb strike from 20 yards that left the Tunisian goalkeeper helpless.

Ghana nearly added a third when Sarah Nayrko went close from close range, but her effort drifted wide.

In the end, Attobrah’s double proved decisive, sealing an important first-leg victory ahead of the return fixture in Accra on Sunday, September 28.

The Black Princesses, who are seeking an eighth consecutive U-20 Women’s World Cup appearance since their maiden qualification in 2010, will look to finish the job at home.

Before the departure of the team, the President of the Ghana Football Association (GFA), Kurt Okraku, visited their camp in Accra to boost the morale of the players ahead of the game.

Mr Okraku praised the team’s consistency and dominance on the continent, noting that the Princesses remain the nation’s most reliable team, having qualified for every edition of the FIFA U-20 Women’s Cup.

“This team has been the most consistent in Ghana, representing the country at the World Cup tournament for the past seven editions, unlike any of our national teams. You’ve always been at the World Cup and showcased your quality,” he said.

The Black Princesses will face Tunisia in the first leg on Saturday, 20 September, at the Stade Taïeb Mhiri in Sfax.

Ghana is aiming to secure its eighth consecutive appearance at the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup, scheduled to take place in Poland.

Find the squad below: 

The Black Princesses will host Tunisia at the Accra Sports Stadium in the return fixture.

He will lead the team for the 2025 FIFA Women’s U20 World Cup qualifiers.

Born 24 November 1980, Coach Charles Sampson is a Ghanaian ex-international footballer, who played for various clubs in Greece and Sweden. He was also featured on the Ghana U20 national team.

Sampson began his playing career with GHAPOHA FC in the Ghana Premier League before moving to Greece where he had stints with Kalamata FC, Apollon Kalamarias, OFI Crete, Panegialios and Fostriras.

Sampson joined Swedish side Assyriska Föreningen in 2004 where he helped the club earn promotion to the Allsvenskan and play in the league the following season. He later had stints with Bodens BK, IFK Lulea, Syrianska Botkyrka and finally to Afrikansk.

Following his successful playing career in Sweden, Sampson began a coaching career with Assyriska United Girls U15 side before managing Swedish Women’s League side Telge United FC.

Before his appointment, Charles Sampson was one of the Assistant Coaches of the Black Queens, the senior Female national team.

Fiifi Parker Hanson, currently Head Coach at Golden Kicks FC, joins Anita Wiredu-Mintah, who has been an Assistant Coach with the Princess, to assist Coach Sampson as a second Assistant Coach.

Ghana was hoping to secure the final spot available for the best third-placed teams with a win against New Zealand.

However, their chance of qualifying for the next round is over due to the outcome of Argentina’s match against Costa Rica.

Heading into their game, Mexico, Canada, and South Korea had all accumulated four points as third-place teams, while Argentina had only one point.

Argentina managed to score in the first half and held on to win, bringing their total to four points.

This result dashed Ghana’s hopes of advancing from the group stage, marking their seventh consecutive failure to progress to the knockout rounds of the tournament.

Under the guidance of Yussif Basigi, Ghana lost their opening matches against Austria and Japan. A win in their final group game against New Zealand would have given them only three points overall.

The Black Princesses faced New Zealand at 11:00 pm on Sunday.

This elimination continues Ghana’s streak of unsuccessful attempts in the competition since their debut in 2012.

Ghana faced a tough challenge in their second Group E match on Thursday night, falling to the Asian side.

After the game, Basigi acknowledged that while the team had a solid game plan, their focus waned at critical moments.

“I will attribute this game to a lack of concentration at a point,” said Basigi after the game.

“I think we mapped up a very strong strategy against them it worked until the 40th minute then [the players] lost focus in the next few minutes we conceded which was not the best.

“Even in the second half, we were able to read exactly what they were going to apply and then we ask [the players] to stay focused and mark them only for them to lose concentration again and unfortunately they had another two goals.”

This defeat follows Ghana’s earlier loss to Austria, marking back-to-back losses in the tournament. The Black Princesses now face a must-win situation in their final group game against New Zealand, as they aim to advance as one of the best third-placed teams.

Ghana is still striving to make it past the group stage for the first time, despite having qualified for six consecutive tournaments.

Eager to secure their first win of the tournament, the Princesses put up a strong fight but ultimately conceded two goals in each half, marking their second consecutive loss.

Ghana started the match with confidence, holding off Japan for 40 minutes. However, Japan broke the deadlock just before halftime, with Sasai scoring in the 45th minute. Matsukubo added a second goal in stoppage time, capitalizing on an error by Ghanaian goalkeeper Afi Amenyeku.

In the second half, substitutions were made, with Mafia Nyame and Mercy Attobra coming on for Wasiima Mohammed and Mary Amponsah. However, the changes did little to stop Japan, as Bayana extended the lead with a goal from a goalmouth scramble.

Ghana managed to pull one back when Stella Nyamekye converted a penalty in the 83rd minute after being fouled. But Japan quickly responded, with Matsunaga scoring to seal a 4-1 victory.

The result leaves Ghana without a point, following their earlier 2-1 loss to Austria in the opening match.

Coach Yusif Basigi and his team will face New Zealand in their final Group E match on Sunday, September 8, 2024, at the Pascual Guerrero Stadium in Cali.

Despite making six consecutive appearances at the tournament, the Black Princesses are still chasing their first-ever qualification from the group stage.

Reflecting on the match, he noted the team’s slow start but highlighted their improved performance in the second half, where they dominated play but failed to convert key scoring opportunities.

“We started the game slowly, but towards the end of the first half, we began to find our rhythm. In the second half, we dominated play even though we were a goal down. “Unfortunately, we didn’t capitalize on our goal-scoring chances. This is an area we need to refine to stay competitive” Basigi remarked after the match.

He praised the second-half performance but acknowledged that a stronger start could have changed the outcome.

“If we had begun the game the way we played in the second half, it would have been a different story. But we started slowly,” he added.

Despite the pressure to perform, Basigi remains motivated and focused on improving the team’s performance in the upcoming matches.

With a talented squad and experience from previous international friendlies, the Black Princesses are determined to bounce back strongly.

“There’s definitely some pressure, especially since a win or draw against Austria would have boosted our morale. Now, we have no choice but to give our all in the remaining two games,” Basigi said.

Ghana will face Japan in their second Group E match on Thursday, September 5, 2024.

The Black Princesses are eager to advance beyond the group stage for the first time, despite having made six consecutive appearances at the tournament.

Hannah Fankhauster opened the scoring for Austria in the 12th minute, capitalizing on a well-executed team play. Laura Spinn delivered a low cross from the right flank, which Valentina Maedl cleverly let pass through her legs, allowing Fankhauster to fire the ball into the net.

Austria’s goalkeeper, Mariella El Sherif, showcased her impressive reflexes by making a crucial save against Stella Nyamekye, keeping Austria in the lead. Despite Ghana’s relentless efforts to equalize, the World Cup debutants managed to maintain their narrow advantage until halftime.

In the second half, Ghana made strategic substitutions, bringing on Mafia Nyame and Beline Nyarkoh for Salamatu Abdulai and Asana Mohammed. Ghana captain Stella Nyamekye came close to scoring with a long-range shot that struck the post in the 52nd minute.

Austria continued to press for a second goal but was denied by a solid block from Afi Amenyeku. Tracey Twum had a chance to equalize for Ghana but headed wide from close range following a precise cross from Comfort Yeboah. Nyamekye almost scored a spectacular goal, but her effort was thwarted by the crossbar.

The match’s second goal came unexpectedly when Asana Alhassan handled the ball in the box, resulting in a penalty. Nicole Ojukwu calmly converted the spot-kick, extending Austria’s lead to 2-0.

Ghana’s Stella Nyamekye managed to pull one back in the 90th minute, but it wasn’t enough to change the outcome, as the match ended 2-1 in Austria’s favour.

Ghana will face Japan in their second Group E match on Thursday, September 5, 2024.

The Black Princesses are set to kick off their campaign against Austria later tonight, marking their seventh consecutive appearance in the tournament.

In an interview, Basigi shared his positive outlook, noting that he feels more motivated than pressured.

“There is no pressure on me but rather I am motivated to take part in this tournament for the second time after being with the Black Princesses in France in 2018,” he told the Ghana FA website.

He also appealed to Ghanaians for their support and encouragement.

“We need the support and prayers of Ghanaians as usual and I know they are going to support us in every aspect as expected.”

The match will take place at Estadio Metropolitano de Techo, with kick-off scheduled for 22:00 GMT.

The Black Princesses will also face Japan and New Zealand in Group E, with the team’s goal set on advancing beyond the group stage for the first time.

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The Ghana U-20 women’s national team will kick off their campaign on Monday night at the Estadio Metropolitano de Techo, with the match starting at 22:00 GMT.

Basigi expressed his excitement and composure, noting that it’s a rare opportunity for a coach to compete on such a global stage.

“I am highly motivated and calm because not every coach gets this chance. We need to make the most of it,” he told the Ghana FA website.

He underscored the importance of this tournament for the players, emphasizing that it could be a career-defining moment.

“I have conveyed to the players that this might be their last chance to showcase their skills or earn a spot on the senior team. They need to seize this opportunity to prove their worth.”

Basigi also pointed out that the head coach of the senior national team is present in Colombia to scout potential talent, which he sees as a significant development for the team.

Following their match against Austria, the Black Princesses will face New Zealand and Japan in the remaining Group E fixtures.

Under the guidance of coach Yusif Basigi, the team is making their sixth consecutive appearance in the tournament.

However, they have yet to advance past the group stage in their previous outings.

In Group E, the Black Princesses will face Austria in their opening match at Estadio Metropolitano de Techo, with the game starting at 22:00 GMT.

MATCH DAY.

Ghana vrs Austria

⏰ : 22:00 GMT.#FIFAU20WWC #StrongerTogether💪🏽 #ShineBlackPrincesses✨#BringBackTheLove 🥰 pic.twitter.com/jBoiW5DAie

— Ghana Women National Teams 🇬🇭 (@GhanaWNT) September 2, 2024

They will also compete against Japan and New Zealand in the group stage.

The team’s goal is to reach the Round of 16 for the first time. Prior to their arrival in Bogota, they spent over a month training in Cape Coast and Accra, where they secured a 3-1 victory in a friendly match.

After arriving in Colombia, they played a goalless draw against Mexico and a 2-2 draw against South Korea in their final preparatory games.

Currently training in Colombia, Ghana’s U-20 women’s national team has played two friendly matches in preparation for the tournament.

They first drew 0-0 with Mexico and then played to a 2-2 draw against South Korea on Tuesday evening.

Basigi expressed optimism about the team’s progress, noting, “Our performance has definitely improved since the first game. Against Mexico, there was noticeable tension, but the team played much better against South Korea. Despite the penalty against us, which is part of the game, the team held its own well.”

He acknowledged concerns about conceding two penalties but sees it as a learning opportunity.

“It’s concerning to give away two penalties, but it helps us understand what to expect in the tournament. Referees often protect players, and minor infractions can result in penalties, so we need to be cautious.”

Basigi is reassured by the team’s development and feels ready for the upcoming World Cup.

“We’ve identified the key aspects we needed to address, and the team has shown promise. We are hopeful and prepared for the challenges ahead.”

The FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup will take place in Colombia from August 31 to September 22, 2024.

Ghana’s first match is against Austria on September 2, with additional group-stage games against New Zealand and Japan.

Meanwhile, Stella Nyamekye has been named as the new captain for the team.

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The U-20 national women’s team has landed in Bogota after intensive training sessions in Cape Coast and Accra, setting the stage for their preparations for the upcoming tournament.

Despite having participated in the Women’s World Cup six times, the Black Princesses aim to advance beyond the group stage for the first time.

“I want to express my deep appreciation to the Government and the Football Association for getting us here early. This has allowed us to acclimatize to the weather and altitude, which is crucial for our performance. We are extremely thankful and are determined to give our best in return,” Basigi shared on the Ghana FA’s official website.

He also thanked the authorities for arranging high-profile friendly matches to bolster the team’s readiness for the global event.

“They have set up two significant international friendlies for us, which will be instrumental in assessing our current level and identifying areas for improvement,” he added.

The Black Princesses will kick off their World Cup campaign against Austria on September 2, followed by matches against Japan and New Zealand in Group E.

The selected team features Jenna Kayla Sarpong, a goalkeeper from Auburn University, and defender Alexandra Emefa Tay, who plays for Seattle United ECNL.

Midfielder Stella Nyamekye returns to the squad after recovering from an injury that kept her out of the African Games in March.

The attacking line will be led by Mafia Nyame of AS FAR, alongside Salamatu Abdulai and Mary Amponsah from Ampem Darkoa Ladies.

The tournament will run from August 31 to September 22, 2024. Ghana is placed in Group E with Japan, Austria, and New Zealand.

The Black Princesses are determined to advance beyond the group stage for the first time, despite their consistent presence in the World Cup over the past six editions.

The players are as follows: 

This will be Ghana’s seventh consecutive appearance in the tournament, but they have yet to move past the group stage in previous years.

Fosu shared his optimism about the team’s prospects in an interview with ChannelOne TV, emphasizing the commitment of everyone involved.

“Going into this tournament, I think the aim is to move past the group stage and then take it game after game so that has been our motivation so far and that has been the story for all the girls, for the technical team and for everybody that has been part of the team…so we are working hard towards that,” he said.

Ghana is placed in Group E alongside Austria, Japan, and New Zealand. To progress, they need to be among the top two teams in their group or secure one of the two best third-place spots.

The Black Princesses, along with their technical staff, have arrived in Colombia and are now preparing for the competition.

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Departing from Accra on Tuesday evening, the team landed in the Colombian capital at approximately 5:45 PM local time on Wednesday.

The arrival was met with a vibrant reception, as Colombian Police welcomed the players with cheers and music in a brief airport ceremony.

Before the tournament officially begins on August 31, 2024, the Black Princesses will participate in several international friendly matches.

Their campaign will commence against Austria on September 2, followed by fixtures against Japan and New Zealand in Group E.

Head coach Yusif Basigi and his squad are aiming to advance beyond the group stage in their seventh consecutive World Cup appearance.

Watch video below

And we brought the PARTYYYYYY💃🏽💃🏽💃🏽💃🏽🇬🇭#FIFAU20WWC #StrongerTogether💪🏽 #ShineBlackPrincesses✨#BringBackTheLove 🥰 pic.twitter.com/v96itDy4Pi

— Ghana Women National Teams 🇬🇭 (@GhanaWNT) August 15, 2024

The team, which will be making its seventh consecutive appearance in the tournament, has failed to advance beyond the group stage in each of the previous six editions.

The Black Princesses have been drawn into Group E alongside New Zealand, Japan, and Austria, and will be looking to break their curse at the World Cup.

Despite their previous performances, which have seen them win only three of their 12 matches, with their best finish being a third-place finish in the group stage in 2018, Okraku is confident that the team can do better.

“We’ve not gone beyond the group stages in the past six times we’ve been to the World Cup,” Okraku said.

“This year, our vision is clear – we want to do better than our previous performances. We believe that the technical team is well on course to deliver, and we’ve given the team all the support they need.”

The Black Princesses will move to Accra today to complete their preparations ahead of the tournament.

They will open their campaign against Austria on September 2, before taking on Japan and New Zealand.

The FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup is scheduled to take place in Colombia from August 31 to September 22, 2024.

With Okraku’s backing and support, the Black Princesses are looking to turn their fortunes around and make a lasting impression at the tournament.

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The team has been camping in Cape Coast since June 27, 2024, focusing on strategy development, tactical drills, and physical conditioning.

Ahead of their departure for Colombia, the Black Princesses will participate in a friendly match at the Accra Sports Stadium on Monday.

After their friendly match, the team will depart Accra for the tournament in Colombia, which is scheduled to kick off on August 31 and run until September 22, 2024.

The Black Princesses will begin their campaign in Group E on September 2, facing Austria in their first match.

They will also take on Japan and New Zealand in subsequent matches.

The players had been awaiting payment of $6,000 each for their performance during the three qualifying rounds of the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup, a debt that has been pending since January of this year.

Joy Sports reported that, the Sports Ministry has now made the payments, although each player received a revised amount of $4,500.

The Black Princesses are currently gearing up to represent Ghana for the seventh consecutive time at the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup, which will take place in Colombia starting on August 31.

Ghana has been drawn into Group E, where they will face Japan, Austria, and New Zealand, as they aim to advance beyond the group stages for the first time in the tournament’s history.

The team, along with their technical staff, has been in intensive preparation over the past few months in Cape Coast, and they are expected to play several friendly matches before departing for the competition.

Ghana’s U-20 women’s national team is preparing for its seventh consecutive appearance at the FIFA U-20 World Cup.

Despite their consistent participation, the team has never advanced past the first round. Their best performance was in 2012 when they were eliminated in the group stage despite earning six points.

Basigi, who coached the team in the 2018 edition where they finished third in their group, reflected on the challenges they faced at that time.

“In my case, it was unfortunate the time we went for the World Cup in 2018; that was the time of the expose – the Normalisation Committee period but things were not normalised. I wouldn’t say that is an excuse though,” he said during the team’s Media Day at the Cape Coast Stadium on Monday, July 22.

The team has been training in Cape Coast for the past three weeks in preparation for the tournament. Basigi emphasized their determination to succeed this time around.

“This time, we are motivated to go again and make a mark because we are all looking forward to breaking that jinx. We have made the girls aware just as we the technical staff are aware,” he continued.

“We don’t need anybody to task us to do that job. We know how difficult it is. It’s a  herculean task but we will do all that we can to go beyond the group stage before we think of any other thing.”

With the expansion of the tournament to 24 teams from 16, Basigi is hopeful this will be the year Ghana finally advances beyond the first round.

The U-20 Women’s World Cup will take place in Colombia later this year, with Ghana placed in Group E alongside Austria, New Zealand, and Japan.

Ghana is set to make its seventh consecutive appearance at this biennial event. In preparation for the global competition, 35 players are currently training in Cape Coast.

The team is also scheduled to participate in a series of friendly matches before heading to South America.

Basigi expressed his confidence in the squad during an interview with Ghana FA media, highlighting their target of advancing past the group stage.

“We have been in Cape Coast for a few days now, and everyone is putting in maximum effort. The technical team has designed a series of training programs to keep the players in good shape,” he stated on Ghana FA media.

“The players are determined to represent the nation on the biggest stage. With a few days left before the start of the World Cup, we are leaving no stone unturned. Our goal is to make an impact on the world stage and make it out of the group stage.”

He also acknowledged the support from the Ghana Football Association and the government, expressing gratitude for their continued backing.

“The Football Association and the government have been very supportive in our preparations, and we know they will continue to support us. We won’t let them down.”

The Black Princesses will kick off their campaign against Austria on September 2, followed by matches against Japan and New Zealand in Group E.

The team secured their seventh consecutive World Cup qualification earlier this year.

Yussif Basigi’s squad is now gearing up for this year’s tournament, which will take place in Colombia.

All 35 players and the technical team have already arrived in Cape Coast, with the first training session scheduled for Friday, June 28.

The players reported to camp on Thursday, June 27, ahead of the training.

The Black Princesses are placed in Group E, where they will compete against former champions Japan, New Zealand, and newcomers Austria.

Ghana will kick off their campaign against Austria in their opening Group E match, followed by games against New Zealand and Japan.

Full squad below:

Assigned to Group E, Yusif Basigi’s squad will face formidable adversaries, including former champions Japan, New Zealand, and Austria.

With excitement building, Ghana’s youthful team will commence their journey against Austria at the Bogota El Techo Stadium on Monday, September 2, 2024.

This marks the Black Princesses’ seventh consecutive appearance in the esteemed biennial tournament, underscoring their enduring dedication and global prowess.

The FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup promises a thrilling spectacle, running from August 31 to September 22, 2024, captivating football enthusiasts worldwide.

Representing Africa alongside Ghana are Nigeria, Cameroon, and Morocco.

Despite previous setbacks, Ghana is aiming to surpass the group stage for the first time, setting its sights on a breakthrough performance in Colombia.

Under the leadership of Yusif Basigi, the Princesses secured the gold medal after defeating their rivals, Nigeria, in the final of the football competition at the Cape Coast Stadium in March.

Each team member received the Ghana Cedi equivalent of $3,000, as per the report.

Before the tournament began, the Sports Ministry had announced that gold medalists would receive $3,000, with $2,000 and $1,000 going to silver and bronze medalists, respectively.

However, the Black Princesses are still awaiting their bonuses for qualifying for the 2024 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup.

Each team member was promised $6,000 for their qualification, a payment that was supposed to be made before the start of the African Games but has yet to be fulfilled.

The team is set to begin their World Cup training camp next month in preparation for the tournament, which starts in August.

In the final of the women’s competition held at the Cape Coast Stadium on Thursday, Ghana’s U-20 squad rallied from behind to secure a 2-1 victory over the Super Falconets.

The setback came in the 23rd minute when Nigeria capitalized on an error by Amenyaku to take the lead in the first half.

However, a determined effort in the second half saw Tracey Twum netting the equalizer, pushing the game into extra time, where Abdulai Mukarama sealed the victory, securing the gold medal for the Princesses.

Reflecting on the match, Ghana’s goalkeeper revealed the team’s unwavering belief in their ability to bounce back despite the early setback.

“We were confident in our ability to mount a comeback [after conceding the first goal],” said a smiling Amenyaku in an interview with Joy Sports. “We were not intimidated by the challenge.”

Amenyaku also emphasized the team’s focus on the upcoming FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup scheduled to take place in Colombia later this year.

“Following this victory, our attention turns to the World Cup in Colombia. We urge all Ghanaians to continue praying and supporting us” she added.

The triumph at the Cape Coast Stadium marks Ghana’s consecutive victories over Nigeria in their recent encounters, including the WAFU B U-20 Cup held in Kumasi last year.

Ghana’s U-20 female national team has booked their place in the final of the ongoing 2023 African Games. 

Basigi’s side cruised over Senegal with a 3-1 scoreline in the semifinal to extend their unbeaten run in the ongoing tournament.

The Princesses will face Nigeria in the grande finale later today at the Cape Coast Stadium.

Speaking ahead of the much-anticipated clash, Basigi expressed confidence in steering the team to win the ultimate. 

“We are poised for the game. The players and the technical team are all ready for the game against Nigeria,” he said on Asempa FM‘s Ultimate Sports Show. 

‘We are determined to win gold. It will be a difficult game but I am rest assured and promise the country that we will win gold,” he added. 

The game has been scheduled to kick off at 20:00GMT.

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Nigeria booked their place in the final of the competition following their 2-0 win over Uganda earlier in the day.

Yusif Basigi’s side asserted dominance early in the semifinal clash, with Tracey Twum scoring just after the 19th minute mark to put them in the lead.

Ophelia Amponsah extended Ghana’s advantage with another goal, making it 2-0.

Despite Senegal’s efforts to narrow the margin with a penalty kick from Rokhyatou Kande, Ophelia Amponsah struck again, cementing Ghana’s 3-1 lead and sealing their passage to the championship match.

With the final berth secured, Ghana is now setting its sights higher, aiming for nothing less than the top prize in women’s football.

The final is set for Thursday, March 21, at the Cape Coast Stadium.

Ghana’s U20 women’s squad clashed with Tanzania’s counterparts in their second group match of the women’s football tournament in the ongoing 13th Olympic Games at the Cape Coast Stadium.

Tanzania gained an early advantage, netting a goal through Hasnath Ubamba just 23 minutes into the game at the Cape Coast Stadium.

Despite this setback, the Black Princesses exhibited resilience, remaining composed and focused on the task at hand.

As the first half drew to a close, Tracey Twum’s brilliant strike in injury time levelled the score, injecting renewed energy into Ghana’s side.

The second half saw an electrifying display, with Ghana’s gifted forward Mukarama Abdulai finding the back of the net in the 64th minute, propelling her team into the lead.

Maintaining their defensive prowess and strategic control, the Black Princesses skillfully defended their advantage, sealing a hard-fought 2-1 triumph after 90 minutes.

This victory secures Ghana’s U20 women’s national team a spot in the knockout stage of the football tournament at the 13th African Games, marking a significant achievement for the squad.

In the second leg of the last round of qualifiers, the Black Princesses triumphed with a convincing 5-1 victory over the Teranga Lionesses, resulting in an impressive 7-1 aggregate win.

Beline Nyarko contributed a brace, while Maafia Nyame, Tracey Twum, and Salamatu Abdulai also found the back of the net, showcasing the team’s strength under the guidance of coach Yusif Basigi.

Having previously secured a 2-0 victory in the first encounter in Dakar a week ago, Ghana entered the fixture with confidence. Despite an early lead by Senegal, with a goal exploiting defensive miscommunication, Maafia Nyame swiftly equalized, setting the stage for a strong comeback.

Beline Nyarko’s header before halftime completed the turnaround, placing Ghana in the lead.

The second half witnessed a dominant performance from Basigi’s squad, with Tracey Twum converting a penalty after Salamatu Abdulai was fouled in the box, extending the lead to 3-1.

Beline Nyarko added her second goal with a brilliant strike, and Salamatu Abdulai sealed the victory.

With a resounding 7-1 aggregate score, the Black Princesses have earned their place in the upcoming World Cup in Colombia.

This marks their seventh consecutive appearance in the tournament since their debut in 2010.

Ghana will join Morocco, Nigeria, and Cameroon as representatives of Africa in the prestigious competition.

Ghana conceded early in the 5th minute through a defensive blunder which saw the host put the ball beyond Afi Amenyaku.

Beline Nyarko’s cross was shot into the top right corner by Mercy Attobra as Ghana drew parity in the 10th minute.

Beline Nyarko came close to giving the Princesses the lead but the attacker failed to utilize her chance.

Nyarko, however, made no mistake in the 28th minute after beautifully connecting Hellen Alormenu’s delicious.

The Black Princesses continued to dominate possession in midfield and in attack as the teams went into the break with Ghana leading 2-1.

Wasiima Mohammed’s superb strike at the edge of the 18-yard box extended the lead for the Black Princesses in the 49th minute before Success Ameyaa set up Sarah Nyarko for the 4th goal in the 59th minute.

With a few minutes to end proceedings, Mercy Attobra grabbed her brace to end the game 6:1 in favour of the Black Princesses.

Ghana will host Eswatini in the return fixture on Sunday, November 19, 2023, at the Accra Sports Stadium.

The squad will continue preparations to face Eswatini in the third-round qualifying match for the FIFA U20 women’s World Cup.

The team will miss the services of Ampem Darkoa’s Mary Amponsah, Comfort Yeboah, Deborah Brown, Tracy Twum and Abena Anomah Opoku due to the club’s participation in the CAF Women’s Champions League.

Ghanaian-born Martha Persia Oteng who plays for Tottenham Hotspur Women makes it to the squad for the first time.

The Black Princesses will look to book a seventh consecutive appearance at the biennial tournament in Colombia next year.

The team is expected to resume camping on Wednesday, October 25th, 5:00pm at the Ghanaman Soccer Centre of Excellence.

Below are the invited players:

The Princesses went into this game with a three-goal advantage from the 1st leg.

The first half of the game ended goalless with the Princesses having a lions share of possession and creating numerous goal-scoring chances.

Success Ameyaa and Mercy Attobra came close in the 9th and 15th minutes but couldn’t make it count.

Ghana scored three goals in the second half courtesy of Tracy Twum, Wasiima Mohammed and Helen Alormemu.

The pressure from the Princesses yielded results when Tracy Twum found the back of the net in the 49th minute.

Wasiima Mohammed connected a header from success Ameyaa’s corner in the 59th minute to double the lead.

A beautiful play in midfield between Tracy Twum and Helen Alormenu ended at the back of the net when the latter chipped the ball over the goalkeeper to make it 3:0 for the Black Princesses.

The 3-0 win gives Ghana a 6-0 aggregate score after winning the 1st leg 3-0 in Bissau last weekend.

The Black Princesses will face Eswatini in the third round qualifiers in search of a ticket to the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup.

Three goals courtesy of Success Ameyaa, Mary Amponsah and Mercy Attobra handed the Princesses the 1st leg advantage.

The Black Princesses were the better side in the early minutes of the game but couldn’t utilise their chances.

A pass from Helen Alormemu found Mary Amponsah but she was flagged offside in the 11th minute.

Success Ameyaa made her effort count in the 45th minute when she scored from a free kick to hand Ghana the lead before going into the break.

After recess, Mary Amponsah was fouled in the penalty box but Comfort Yeboah missed from the spot kick.

Mary Amponsah doubled the lead in the 67th minute courtesy of a great team effort before substitute, Mercy Attobra who replaced Fatimata Fuseini proved to be a “super sub” as she scored in the 77th minute to take the game beyond Guinea Bissau.

The Black Princesses held on to win the contest 3:0.

The return fixture is scheduled for the Accra Sports Stadium on Saturday, October 14, 2023.

The team is expected to report to the Ghanaman Soccer Centre of Excellence in Prampram on Wednesday, September 13th to begin preparations ahead of the qualifiers.

The Black Princesses will play Guinea Bissau on October 8th before hosting them on October 15th 2023 in the return fixture.

Below is the full list of players:

Ghana will face rivals Nigeria in the final of the tournament on Saturday at the Baba Yara Stadium with kick-off scheduled for 18:30GMT.

The Black Princesses sealed a place in the final after a 3-1 comeback win over Burkina Faso. Nigeria, however, recorded a 3-0 win over Benin.

Ahead of the final, Basigi says the Princesses are determined to make history and is confident of winning the ultimate.

“Ghanaians should have faith in this Black Princesses team. They are coachable and I have been satisfied with their performance,” he told Asempa FM on the Ultimate Sports Show.

“We are playing Nigeria who have experience. They have good players who have played in World Cup but we are going to match them and I am convinced we will lift the trophy.

“The players are highly motivated ahead of the final. GFA boss, Kurt Okraku, spoke to the team before the start of the tournament and what they were told still rings in their minds. I am sure they want to write their names in the history books. 

“Getting to the final and winning the trophy is a different thing but we want to win the maiden edition of the tournament. The body language of the players indicates that they are ready for the final against Nigeria,” he added.

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The maiden edition of the U20 Girls tournament is being hosted by Ghana with Kumasi as the host city.

Ghana’s U-20 female side locked horns with their counterpart from Burkina Faso in the semi-finals at the Baba Yara Stadium.

Burkina Faso equalised after just four minutes of the first half to take the lead.

With the host nation pegged behind, it gingered the side to up the tempo of the game in a bid to turn things around.

Fortunately, for the Black Princesses, the team had the quality to complete a 3-1 comeback win at the end of the 90 minutes.

Goals from Stella Nyamekye, Success Ameyaa, and Faiza Seidu ensured that Ghana secured the win to advance to the finals of the WAFU Zone B U20 Girls Cup of Nations tournament.

The Black Princesses will face the winner of the semi-final game between Nigeria and Benin.

The maiden edition of the tournament is being staged in Kumasi in the Ashanti Region.

In the opening match of the tournament a week ago, Ghana defeated their counterpart from Benin 3-0 at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium.

In the final group game today, Yusif Basigi and his charges locked horns with Ivory Coast in the second Group A match of the WAFU Zone B U20 Girls Cup of Nations tournament.

Captain Stella Nyamekye scored in the 21^st minute to double the lead for the Princesses.

Her goal was sandwiched by a brace from talented attacker Maafia Nyame as the Ghana U20 Girls national team cruised to a 3-1 win over the Ivory Coast U20 national team at the end of the 90 minutes.

The victory means the Ghana Black Princesses have qualified for the semi-finals of the WAFU Zone B U20 Girls Cup of Nations tournament.

Ghana played the first game of the competition at the Baba Yara Stadium with head coach Yusif Basigi parading a star-studded team against Benin.

The Hasaacas Ladies gaffer named an unchanged starting lineup from the team’s last friendly game against Niger in midweek with Maafia Nyame, Faiza Seidu and Helen Alormenu leading the line while Stella Nyamekye pulled the strings in midfield.

The Black Princesses took control from the start of the game and should have taken the lead in the early minutes of the game. However, they failed to convert the chances that came their way.

Maafia Nyame had other ideas 35 minutes into the game. She ended up on the receiving end of Comfort Yeboah’s cross before blasting the ball into the net to give Ghana the lead.

Stella Nyame should have scored the second immediately but her effort from outside the box was saved by the Benin goalkeeper as they score line remained heading into the break.

The Princesses continued their dominance in the game after the recess and were rewarded in the 61st minute when substitute Mary Amponsah latched onto a pass from Helen Alormenu to double the lead for Ghana.

There was no stopping Stella Nyamekye this time around from a free-kick close to the box as she sent her effort straight into goal to make it three and wrap up victory for the hosts.

With three goals scored, Ghana managed the game well and walked away with all three points from the Baba Yara Stadium sending them top of Group A.

Stella Nyamekye was named the Woman of the Match at the end of the opening game.

The Black Princesses will face Ivory Coast in their next game next week.

The Princesses dismantled their Nigerien counterparts 11-0 in a preparatory game for the upcoming tournament that is scheduled to be played in Kumasi at the Dr Kwame Kyei Sports Complex.

A hat-trick from Stella Nyamekye and braces from Faiza Seidu and Mafia Nyame as well as strikes from Tracy Twum, Helen Alormenu and Mary Amponsah ensured free-scoring Ghana secured a huge win.

The WAFU B U-20 Girls Cup of Nations is scheduled from Saturday, May 20 – Saturday, June 3, 2023.

Ghana has been drawn into Group A of the WAFU championship alongside Benin and Cote D’Ivoire.

Meanwhile, Yusif Basigi, who is the head coach of the side has named 20 players for the tournament.

The team has been preparing at the Ghanaman Soccer Centre of Excellence at Prampram ahead of the tournament. The team is expected to depart Accra for Kumasi on Thursday, May 18, 2023.

Basigi is a CAF Licence A holder and has a degree in Health, Physical Training and Recreation from the University of Education, Winneba.

Basigi has had the opportunity to handle the Black Queens as an Assistant coach from 2011-2013, moved to head coach from 2013-2017 and is now head coach of the Black Princesses.

He has been the trainer of Hasaacas Ladies from 2013 to date.

Basigi led the Black Queens to win Gold at the 2015 African Games in Congo Brazzaville and also guided Hasaacas Ladies to 2nd place in the inaugural CAF Women’s Champions League in Egypt where they lost to Mamelodi Sundowns in the final.

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Basigi has also won four Women’s Premier League titles with Sekondi Hasaacas Ladies. He will be assisted by Ampem Darkoa Ladies Coach Nana Adarkwa and Anita Owiredu.

The Black Princesses will represent Ghana at the 13th African Games scheduled for Accra in August next year.

Ghana’s campaign in Costa Rica came to a bitter end after a 4-1 loss to the Netherlands in the final group game.

It came after defeats to the United States and Japan as they finished bottom of Group D with zero points and scored one from three games.

Ghana failed to make it out of the group stages in all six editions of the World Cup they have played since their debut in 2010.

After the final game, Fokuo who revealed that plans to progress to the next stage had failed, believes the team will work hard to compete in the next edition.

“This is the sixth time we have not been able to qualify from the group stage and it is very worrying,” he said as quoted by the Ghana FA.

“When we were coming to this competition for the sixth time, we decided to make sure that we qualify from the group stage for the first time and later progress from the quarter-final but it is unfortunate we lost all three matches and are out of the competition.”

He also added that the team will return to Ghana and turn attention to the next edition of the U-20 Women’s World Cup.

‘’We did our preparations and worked hard towards the competition but things didn’t go as planned.

‘’We will work hard and try again in the next edition and hopefully, the team will make it past the group stage for the first time.”

Ghana started the game on the front foot but it was the Netherlands who took the lead in the 28^th minute through Liz Rijsbergen.

Susan Duah got a chance in the 35^th minute through a Suzzy Dede Teye corner kick but her effort at goal was saved by Lisan Alkemade of the Netherlands.

Henry Ziva scored the second goal for the Netherlands after recess but a good team play saw Abdulai Mukarama put a long pass to Doris Boaduwaa who slotted home to reduce the deficit for the Princesses in the 53^rd minute.

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Substitute Ophelia Serwaa Amponsah hit a long ball at the goal in the 64^th minute but she missed as the Netherlands extended their lead again in the 65^th minute through Liz Rijsbergen who scored her second on the day.

The Princesses pushed to reduce the setback but the Netherlands were awarded a penalty for a foul committed by Ophelia Serwaa Amponsah in the 83^rd minute and Marit Auee made no mistake as she converts from the spot to give the Netherlands their fourth goal.

The Black Princesses exit the competition after finishing bottom of the Group table with no point.