By: Nana Kwame Bediako
The Black Princesses began their 2024 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup campaign in Colombia with a 2-1 defeat to Austria in their Group E opener on Monday, September 2, 2024. The match saw the Princesses conceding a goal in each half, including a second-half penalty, against their opponent.
Austria took an early lead just 12 minutes into the game with a goal from Hannah Fankhausser. The European side maintained pressure throughout the half, but the Ghanaian defence managed to hold their ground, preventing further damage before the break.
The second half saw the Black Princesses fighting hard to equalise, but their efforts were thwarted when Austria doubled their lead in the 71st minute from the penalty spot. The penalty was a blow to the Princesses’ morale, making their task even more challenging.
Despite being down by two goals, the Black Princesses showed resilience and continued to push forward. Their determination paid off in the 91st minute when Stella Nyamekye managed to pull one back for the team, giving them a glimmer of hope, albeit too late to change the outcome.
The Black Princesses will next face the 2018 champions, Japan, on Thursday at 22:00 GMT. This upcoming match presents an opportunity for the team to bounce back and keep their World Cup dreams alive.
