Head Coach of the Black Princesses, Yussif Basigi says the team is aiming to break the 14-year jinx of not qualifying from the group stage in the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup. Ghana have yet to make the second round of the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup following in six consecutive appearances in 2010,2012,2014,2016, 2018 and 2022.

Speaking to the media ahead of the team’s departure from Ghana for a three week training tour, Coach Basigi provided updates on the team’s preparations and expectations ahead of the World Cup.

Coach Basigi used the opportunity to express gratitude to the Ghana Football Association and the Ministry of Youth and Sports for their constant support to the team as they prepare for their seventh consecutive appearance at the biennial tournament.

“We are grateful to the Ghana football Association and the Ministry for their constant support. Though there is renovation works ongoing in Prampram, the moved the team quickly to Cape Coast to camp and start preparations’’.

‘’Early preparation will help the team prepare adequately knowing the women’s league was on break and most of the players would be inactive. Having them together that quickly is good for the team’’.

‘’We are provided with all the maximum support we need from the Ministry and the GFA to prepare well. The team is working hard to go make Ghana proud at the world stage. I have been there in 2018 as the coach of the Black Princesses but couldn’t progress past the group stage but this year in Colombia, we are looking at breaking that jinx’’.

‘’The media have been supportive but we want them to do more and let people know the team is preparing for the World Cup’’ Basigi added.

The FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup will kick off in Colombia from Saturday, August 31 – Sunday, September 22, 2024.

The Black Princesses will open their campaign against Austria on September 2 before taking on Japan and New Zealand in the other group E matches.

GFA COMMUNICATIONS