Colombia 2024: 5 Black Princesses stars to watch at the U-20 Women’s World Cup

After their final friendly on Tuesday evening, the next task for the Black Princesses is their opening match at the 2024 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup.

Yussif Basigi’s team has participated in the competition for the seventh time in a row since arriving in Bogota, playing two important friendly matches.

Both matches ended in a draw, with Ghana holding Mexico to a 0-0 draw and then playing a thrilling 2-2 draw against South Korea.

All 21 players are available to the head coach and his technical team ahead of the opening group match on September 2 against debutants Austria.

Basigi boasts a host of top quality players in his squad for this year’s tournament, who will be useful on all fronts ahead of the start of the competition.

Below is a brief overview of some of Ghana’s key players to watch during the competition:

• Afi Amenyeku – Goalkeeper

Over the past two years, Afi Amenyeku has been a regular fixture in the team. She played a pivotal role in the Black Princesses winning the inaugural WAFU B U-20 Gilrs Cup of Nations as well as the gold medal at the 2023 African Games. Amenyeku’s role has not only been with the national team, but has also seen her blossom with Northern Ladies in the Malta Guinness Women’s Premier League. She came close to leading her team to the top of the table at the end of the 2023/24 season.

As the team’s vice-captain, Amenyeku will take charge and be a supportive voice on the field.

• Beline Nyarkoh – Midfielder

Beline Nyarkoh came into the Black Princesses team as the least liked player after playing in the Women’s Division One League in Ghana. However, her performances at Mfantseman Ladies were too good to ignore. She has settled in very well and seemed to be a key player under Basigi’s tutelage.

Beline scored four goals en route to Ghana’s qualification for the tournament, the most by a Ghanaian player and two fewer than the continent’s top scorer in qualifying. Her progress came in the midfield areas.

• Tracey Twum – Midfielder

Like Beline, Tracey Twum scored the same number of goals in the CAF qualifiers (4). She has been a key figure for both her club (Ampem Darkoa Ladies) and the national team. Tracey was instrumental in the winning team at the African Games, where her goals included the equalizer in the final against Nigeria.

The versatile winger is likely to leave Ghana after the tournament in Colombia, but she will now focus entirely on helping the national team survive the group stage for the first time.

Abiba Issah has been one of the standout players for Hasaacas Ladies during the 2023/24 season. Her ability to play in midfield when needed makes her a good member of the squad after her performance against Ampem Darkoa Ladies in the final in June.

Abiba has been the mainstay behind the Princesses this past year and could continue to be so in Colombia. She will try to make the most of the opportunity for a debutant.

• Stella Nyamekye – Midfielder

Stella Nyamekye has barely been with the Black Princesses this year as her quality was needed at senior level despite qualifying to play with the U-20s. She missed the 2023 African Games earlier this year but Stella is back with Basigi’s team and has looked comfortable at home.

She was the captain of the team and won the WAFU B Girls Cup, also playing in friendly matches against Mexico and South Korea.

Honorable Mentions: Mafia Nyame, Helen Alormenu, Wasima Mohammed and Comfort Yeboah.

Ghana are in Group E and will face Austria, New Zealand and Japan. The competition starts on August 31.