Black Princesses confident of edging South Africa in U-20 qualifier
The Head Coach of the National Women's U-20 team, Black Princesses, Charles Sampson, insists his team will be ready to rise to the occasion and defeat South Africa in the second leg of the 2026 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup qualifier on Saturday at the Mbombela Stadium in South Africa.
Ghana took the lead twice but were pegged back both times as the first leg ended 2-2 last Sunday at the Accra Sports Stadium, leaving the tie delicately poised ahead of the decisive return encounter in South Africa.
The winners on aggregate earn through to the final round of African qualifying to the 2026 FIFA Women's U-20 World Cup, slated for Poland in September.
Despite ruing the injury which caused the absence of some key players, including top striker Mercy Attobrah, defensive midfield stalwart Latifa Musa and midfielder Theresah Adomah, among others, the Ghanaians dominated proceedings in Accra, especially in the first half when South Africa's standout goalkeeper and captain, Casey Kim Gordon, produced a number of spectacular saves to keep the score a narrow 1-0 to Ghana at halftime.
Three minutes after the restart, however, the Basetsana struck back to unsettle the home team. In the end, despite scoring again and creating several chances even after the visitors' second equaliser on the hour mark, the frustrated Ghanaians had to settle for a share of the spoils ahead of a must-win second leg.
"I must say we lost a bit of concentration when we returned from recess. We were not brave enough when they had possession around our penalty box, which caused us. For a team like South Africa to get a goal here, it gave them some energy," Coach Sampson said at the post-match press conference.
"Our aim is to qualify, and thankfully, there is a second leg to come; this is just the first half. They came here and got what they wanted; now we have to go there and get what we want. We will do everything to ensure we qualify for the next round," he added.
Black Princesses winger, Ivy Owusu Osei, who dazzled in last Sunday's first leg, appealed for calm and concentration ahead of the crucial second leg on Saturday.
"All hope is not lost, this is the time to come together, be our sister's keeper, this is the time to hold each other's hands and come back stronger," she said.
For Coach Sampson, the statistics that his side had more of the ball, 65% possession, fuelled the mentality to handle the outcome and channel it into motivation to go to South Africa and get the needed result.
