We can’t afford to miss 2024 U-20 World Cup — Coach Basigi

Black Princesses head coach, Yusif Basigi, has emphasised the significance of securing a spot at the 2024 U-20 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Colombia as he asserts that participating in the U-20 World Cup has become a customary and essential task for the team.

With the team eyeing a seventh consecutive appearance on the global stage, Coach Basigi is leaving no room for complacency as they prepare to face a strong Senegal side next month, highlighting the routine and essential nature of the assignment as the driving force for his team's preparation.

In an exclusive interview with the Graphic Sports, Basigi outlined his strategic approach, recognising the high stakes involved, especially against a formidable opponent. The coach underscores the need for early and rigorous preparations to overcome challenges and secure victories against Senegal, ensuring qualification for the prestigious competition.

Beginning today, the coach will assemble 34 players to resume camping at the Ghanaman Soccer Centre of Excellence in Prampram for preparations towards the final lap of the qualifying series.

Coach Basigi emphasised the importance of early preparations to help curtail any challenge to secure back-to-back victories against the Senegalese and qualify for the competition.

“We will surely qualify for the World Cup. We can’t afford to drop out because it has been a routine and we can’t lose it this time round,” he said.

“We are not underdogs but we cannot underestimate Senegal either. We know it won’t be easy but we will fight to be victorious and, Insha Allah, we will make it to Colombia,” he added.

Basigi's squad comprise a blend of foreign-based players and their home-based compatriots, including goalkeepers Afi Amenyaku of Northern Ladies FC, Amina Ahamadu of FC Savannah, Najat Salam of Tamale Super Ladies and Deborah Brown of Ampem Darkoa Ladies.

The attackers are Mafia Nyame (AS FAR Ladies), Tracey Twum (Ampem Darkoa Ladies), Abigail Sakyiwaa (Hasaacas Ladies), Helen Alormenu (Socrates Ladies), Mary Amponsah (Ampem Darkoa (Ampem Darkoa Ladies), Persis Martha Oteng (Tottenham Hotspurs), Salamatu Abdulai (Swieqi FC), Faiza Seidu (Yanga Princesses), Rosemary Boakye (Dreamz Ladies) and Getrude Amoafo (Kumasi Sports Academy).

Others are Wasiima Mohammed (Northern Ladies), Success Ameyaa (Hasaacas Ladies), Beline Nyarkoh (Mfantiman Royals), Asana Alhassan (Tamale Super Ladies), Jacqueline Amponsah (Berry Ladies), Jennifer Owusuaa (Ampem Darkoa), Agnes Yeboah (Jonina Ladies), Sarah Nyarko (Dreamz Ladies) and Mercy Attobrah (Berry Ladies).

The rest comprises Comfort Yeboah (Ampem Darkoa), Anoma Abena Opoku (Ampem Darkoa), Abiba Issah (Hasaacas Ladies), Hannah Nyame (Socrates Ladies), Sarah Kilible (Army Ladies), Fatimata Fuseini Hasaacas Ladies), Dian Amoako (Ampem Darkoa), Takia Zakaria (Pearlpia Ladies), Faiza Abdul Rashid (Pearlpia Ladies), Comfort Owusu (Hasaacas Ladies) and Afishatu Mohammed (Supreme Ladies).

The Black Princesses started the qualifiers by winning 6-0 on aggregate against Guinea Bissau in October before recording an 8-1 aggregate over Eswatini in November to reach this third and final stage of the qualifying series.

Throughout their participation since 2010, 2012, 2014, 2016, 2018 and 2022, the team's best performance has always been finishing at the group stage.

The U-20 Women's World Cup, enlarged from 16 to 24 teams, will be hosted by Colombia from August 31 to September 22, 2024.