The Black Princesses of Ghana have qualified for their sixth (6th) FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup tournament after edging out Ethiopia in the final phase of the qualifiers on a 5-1 aggregates over two legs.
Coach Ben Fokuo’s girls cemented their place in the 2022 edition of the U-20 Women’s World Cup with a 2-1 win over Ethiopia at the Accra sports stadium on Sunday following a commanding 3-0 win over the same opponents in Ethiopia in Addis Ababa a week ago.
The qualification means the Princesses have secured ticket to a sixth consecutive FIFA U-20 World Cup, and will be one of Africa’s representatives of the 2022 edition slated for August in Costa Rica.
The Princesses took an early lead against Ethiopia in 2nd minute when Salamatu Abdulai received a long pass close to the opponents area, controlled the ball to beat off a challenge from her marker to unleash a right footed lob to the right side of the net to give Ghana the lead.
Suzzy Dede Teye came close to making it double for Ghana in the 15 minute, but her effort went wide. Coach Fokuo’s girls kept pressing harder in search for another goal, and their efforts later paid off when Cecilia Nyama laid a beautiful pass to Salamatu Abdulai who made no mistake shooting at goal to grab a brace in the 25th minute which extended the lead for the Princesses.
Ethiopia kept pushing harder as their efforts won them a free kick around goal area of Ghana. A quality delivery into the box was accompanied by a superb header, which left goalkeeper Cynthia Fiindib Konlan as the visitors reduced their deficit to 2-1.
The scoreline remained 2-1 for Ghana till half time. Back from recess, both sides saw much of the ball as Ethiopia kept pushing harder till a chance in the 86 minute forced Ghana’s goalkeeper Cynthia Fiindib Konlan come off her line to make a save to deny the visitors. However, she unfortunately handled outside the box and received a straight red card.
Ghana was then forced to sacrifice winger Suzzy Dede Teye, who made way for goalkeeper Grace Banwa to replace Cynthia. The game ended 2-1 in favour of the Black Princesses, making an aggregate of 5-1 victory to secure their sixth consecutive qualification to the Women’s U-20 World Cup.
