Black Princesses Qualify for 2026 U-20 World Cup
Ghana has secured qualification to this year’s FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup after defeating Uganda 3-2 on aggregate in the final round of the qualifiers.
The Black Princesses held the Uganda Women’s National Under-20 Football Team to a 1-1 draw in Kampala on Saturday, May 9, sealing progression after their 2-1 first-leg victory at the Accra Sports Stadium last Sunday.
Head coach Charles Sampson made two changes to the starting lineup from the opening leg, handing starting roles to Jessica Appiah Asamoah and Latifa Abesik.
Uganda started strongly and took the lead in the sixth minute when Sylvia Kabene’s effort deflected off Precious Asante and found the back of the net.
The Black Princesses struggled to maintain possession in the early stages but nearly equalised midway through the first half through Agnes Yeboah, whose effort was comfortably saved by the Ugandan goalkeeper.
Uganda headed into halftime with a deserved advantage and continued to dominate after the restart.
Ghana responded with two substitutions in the second half, introducing Sarah Nyarko and Priscilla Mensah for Ivy Osei Owusu and Agnes Yeboah.
The changes injected urgency into the Ghanaian side, although the team was later reduced to 10 players after Margaret Agyapomaa received a red card.
Despite being a player down, the Black Princesses continued to push for an equaliser. Their persistence paid off after a mistake by the Ugandan goalkeeper allowed Priscilla Mensah to chase down the ball before she was fouled in a dangerous area.
Linda Owusu Ansah converted the resulting set piece to level the score and restore Ghana’s aggregate advantage.
Sarah Nyarko nearly gave Ghana the lead moments later with a long-range volley, but the effort was tipped over the crossbar by the Ugandan goalkeeper.
Ghana held on in the closing stages to secure the draw and confirm qualification for a record-extending eighth FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup appearance.
This year’s tournament is scheduled to take place in Poland in September.
The Black Princesses are expected to return to Ghana on today, May 11.
