U20 Women World Cup: Black Princesses Taste Defeat in Opener

The Black Princesses’ seventh appearance at the 2024 U20 Women’s World Cup tournament was dented by a 2-1 defeat to Austria in their opening game on Monday at the 10,000-capacity Estadio Metropolitano de Techo at Bogota in Colombia.

Coach Yussif Basigi went into the game with a star-studded playerlist made up of the like of Stella Nyame, Tracy Twum, Mafia Nyame, Comfort Yeboah and Jeniffer Owusuaa.

The plan was to secure a win in their first game against the U20 Women World Cup debutants, however that did not materialize as they conceded two goals in both halves.

Seventeen-year-old Hannah Fankhauser put the opponents in the lead just 12 minutes into the game after some persistence. The lead was extended when Nicole Ojukwu converted from the spot in the 71st minute.

The game looked to be heading into a 2-0 defeat until the sensational Captain of Ghana, Stella Nyamekye pulled one back to reduce the deficit.

Speaking after the game, Coach Basigi said they are left with no other choice than to win all remaining games.

“I wouldn’t say there is no pressure at all because if we had won or drawn this game against Austria, it would’ve given us motivation. But now we have no option than to go all out with the remaining two games to go.”

The Princesses are third in Group E where Japan is leading with three points followed by Austria also with three points.

Their next game will be against Japan who thrashed New Zealand by 7-0.

The Black Princesses are yet to advance beyond the Group stage despite qualifying for the tournament seven times.