Kurt Okraku, President of the Ghana Football Association (GFA), has called on the Black Princesses to surpass the group stage at the upcoming Women’s U20 World Cup.
The Black Princesses, who are making their seventh consecutive World Cup appearance, have been drawn into a challenging Group E alongside Austria, familiar rivals New Zealand, and the solid Japanese team.
Historically, the team has struggled to advance past the group stage. Their last significant performance was in 2018, finishing third in their group.
Okraku acknowledged the team’s past difficulties, including their most recent showing in the 2022 edition, where they finished last in their group without securing a win. This acknowledgement is a testament to the team’s resilience and determination to overcome their challenges.
The Black Princesses have won only three of their 12 World Cup matches from 2014 to 2022.
Okraku urged the team to improve upon previous performances in a press briefing held in Sunyani.
“We’ve not advanced beyond the group stages for the sixth consecutive time.
Our vision is evident this year: we must improve our performance,” he said.
The GFA President also highlighted the support the team received in preparing for the tournament, which kicks off on August 31, 2024.
“We’ve given the team all the necessary support, and I have unwavering confidence in both the players and the technical staff to deliver,” Okraku added, aiming to reassure the team’s supporters and inspire their unwavering support.
Currently, the Black Princesses are in Cape Coast preparing for the competition.
They hope to overcome past challenges and make a significant impact at the tournament.
