Basigi names team for FIFA U-20 WWC

Black Princesses coach Yussif Basigi has announced his final squad for the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup (WWC) in Colombia.

The list includes Auburn University goalkeeper Jenna Kayla Sarpong and Alexandra Emefa Tay, a defender who plays for Seattle United ECNL.

Midfielder Stella Nyamekye is back in the squad after recovering from an injury that forced her to withdraw from the African Games in March.

Mafia Nyame of AS FAR will lead the attack along with Salamatu Abdulai and Mary Amponsah of Ampem Darkoa Ladies.

The FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup kicks off in Colombia from August 31 to September 22.

Ghana are drawn with Japan, Austria and New Zealand in Group E.

Ghana, a familiar opponent at the Mundial, have not yet made it out of the group stage of the biennial tournament, but their reputation as one of the best teams remains.

From 2010 to 2022, Ghana was eliminated in the preliminary round, but the country won four of the 18 matches played.

Despite the disappointing performance, the team is confident that it can turn the competition around this year.

With the likes of Comfort Yeboah, Mary Amponsah, Stella Nyamekye, Afi Amenyaku and a number of other big names, Ghana is in safe hands to compete for the coveted trophy.

Yussif Basigi, the team’s head coach, said in an interview with GNA Sports: “We have been camping for the past three months to prepare for this tournament. I must say that we have done a lot to prove ourselves. The players are ready for the task ahead.”

Minister for Youth and Sports (MoYS), Mr Mustapha Ussif, reiterated the government’s continued support for the team as they embark on the long journey to Colombia.

Ghana Football Association President Kurt Okraku also tasked the young squad to break new ground after six previous failed attempts to progress beyond the group stage.

“Our story is already known to Ghanaians. Our history is already known to the world. We want to make a better story or write a better story. We want a much better history to be made. That should be the vision as we leave Ghana. The government has been supportive, as I said earlier, and will continue to provide all the necessary logistics that this team will need until the end,” he added, telling the team prior to their departure.

Ghana open the competition on September 2 against Austria, after which they will face Japan and New Zealand in the remaining matches in Group E. –GNA