By: Nana Kwame Bediako
Ghana’s Black Princesses have been eliminated from the FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup group stage for the seventh time. Despite a commanding 3-1 victory over New Zealand in their final Group E match on Sunday, 8 September 2024, the team was unable to advance beyond the group stage.
Salamatu Abdulai emerged as the star of the match, scoring two crucial goals that showcased her skill and determination. Her first goal came just before the hour mark, giving Ghana the lead as she adeptly tucked the ball home from close range. This initial breakthrough was a moment of celebration and hope for the Black Princesses, who had shown promise throughout the game but struggled to secure the necessary points to advance.
However, New Zealand quickly responded, levelling the score five minutes later through Emma Pijnenburg. This equaliser momentarily dampened Ghana’s spirits, but the team demonstrated resilience and continued to press forward. Their persistence paid off in the 72nd minute when captain Stella Nyamekye delivered a precise cross that Abdulai converted with a looping header, restoring Ghana’s lead and reigniting their hopes.
The victory was sealed less than 60 seconds after substitute Tracey Twum entered the match. Twum made an immediate impact, scoring the third goal and solidifying Ghana’s dominance over New Zealand. Despite this impressive performance, it was not enough to secure a spot in the knockout stages. The Black Princesses finished third in Group E, narrowly missing out on qualification.
This recurring pattern of group stage exits has left fans and analysts pondering the future of the Black Princesses. The team’s consistent display of talent and potential suggests that with the right adjustments and support, they could overcome this barrier in future tournaments. The players’ individual brilliance, as seen in Stella Nyamekye and Salamatu Abdulai performances, indicates that the foundation for success is already in place. The challenge now lies in building on this foundation to achieve greater heights on the global stage.
