Black Princesses seek Uganda win in 2022 Under-20 WWC qualifiers
Ghana's female Under-20 side, the Black Princesses are in Kampala, Uganda for a 2022 Women's World Cup qualifying tie against Uganda.
Today (Saturday, Jan.22) the Princesses play their Ugandan counterparts in the first leg of the third round of the campaign, seeking to have a good start.
Advertisement
However, they will have to find a way to tame the free scoring Ugandans who have been very impressive, recording 12 goals in four games played so far.
The Ugandans in their first round, beat Kenya 11-2 in the two-leg tie before upsetting South Africa 1-0 in the second round to set up the date with Ghana.
Though the Princesses in the past had a similar free scoring record, they are yet to show that in this campaign, having also played fewer matches.
They had a walkover against Mauritania in the first game before recording a grinding 1-0 win at home against Zambia in the second round. The first leg of that game away in Lusaka ended goalless.
However, with the likes of Doris Boaduwaa, Evelyn Badu and Ophelia Serwaa Amponsah all in the line-up for the Princesses, Coach Ben Fokuo is confident they will earn a good result in the away game.
Strategy
Coach Fokuo explained that the lack of competitive matches had affected them but having scaled the first hurdle, they are confident they will progress in the campaign.
"We did not have the kind of start we had hoped for and it was because we were playing our first competitive game while the Zambians, a very good side, we're playing their third game. We managed to do the needful and with a chance to progress, we will ensure we maintain the momentum," the coach said.
He said mindful of the threat the Ugandan attackers pose, he will ensure they keep them at bay and return home with a good result that would ease the burden in the second leg.
"They have a good attack and an equally resolute defence, we need to find a way of breaching their attack and keeping their attack in check. We will fight for a result that gives us an advantage into the second leg," Coach Fokuo emphasised.
The winner of this round will progress to the final round to fight for one of the two slots for Africa for the U-20 Women's World Cup (WWC) slated for Costa Rica this year.
Other games
In other games, Cameroon host Nigeria, Tanzania play Ethiopia, while Morocco host Senegal in the first leg this weekend.
The second leg will be played on the weekend of February 4-6.