Black Princesses close to World Cup berth

Ghana’s Under-20 female football team, Black Princesses, are back home with a 2-2 draw against Ethiopia in the first leg of their final round qualifier for next year's FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup (WWC).

The Princesses took the lead with an own goal from a Kate Adu direct shot from a cornerkick on the fourth minute, but the Ethiopians equalised and went ahead within 10 minutes with a brace from Loza Abera on the 15th and 22nd minutes, before Rafia Alhassan earned the Ghanaians a crucial away point with an intelligent low grounder.

Though the result did not meet the Princesses' original plan of keeping a clean sheet, Coach Masa-Ud Didi Dramani told the Graphic Sports on the team's return yesterday, that it was better than losing.

"It was a difficult draw given that we trained in a low altitude but battled a high altitude. We took an early lead but were afterwards forced to fight from a goal down to equalise. The result, no doubt, gives us an advantage going into the second and final game, and we will take full advantage of that," Coach Dramani said.

He said the high altitude and the determination of the girls to grab a point at all cost took its toll on the ladies as five of them fainted  after the game and had to be rushed to the hospital for treatment.

"We knew the weather was going to be a problem for us and it did, but the ladies were bent on getting a good result so they went the full hog running at the Ethiopians. Our hosts are no doubt a very good side, but we played better, completely dominating the second half. We will build on these positives to prepare very well for the second and final leg in two weeks," he said.

The team doctor said none of the girls who fainted were in danger but was optimistic that they would all recover fully for the second leg in two weeks.