The Black Maidens will play the University of Memphis team on Thursday in their third test match as they continue with preparations for this month's FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup.

Following their 1-0 loss in the first practice game on Tuesday to Alabama's Crimson Tide, coach Abraham Allotey will be seeking an improved performance the team before going into the World Cup.

“I’m not giving the defeat to the weather, we played against a good side,” Allotey said.

“It was a good side, I must confess. The game is only a win, lose or draw. And we were defeated. [Alabama] played better. I also see it as a good challenge for my team. Though I wish we would meet them next time and then see how [we’ve grown] on my side.”

Allotey, who saw his team concede as early as the third minute of the game through an own-goal insists Ghana needed such a test.

“It was a good challenge for me [and my team],” Allotey said. “We have been in the United States for five days. We played against University of Alabama at Huntsville on Sunday and won 5-0. Looking at that game compared to this game, this was a high profile game for my country. So I’m happy. I wish we played [Alabama] a second time.”

The Black Maidens, who finished third at the finals in 2012 in Azerbaijan are on tour of the southeast of the United States in preparation for the U-17 World Cup in Costa Rica on March 15.