Six months on from their gold medal win at the African Games, where Yussif Bassigi wrote his name in Ghana football history, the Black Princesses on Monday will have a chance to right the wrongs in their past World Cup appearances.
This time they begin their campaign against debutants Austria in the ongoing U-20 World Cup in Colombia.
The Austria U-20 side are the first team from their nation either men or women to feature at a FIFA tournament since 2015 and will enter this clash in positive spirits, having seen off Venezuela 1-0 last week in their final pre-tournament hit-out.
Although several of the team players are injured, they have also made the trip to South America to support the side in a real show of solidarity.
In their last four matches, Austria have already shipped in seven goals scoring just three in the process and winning just one, drawing one and losing the other two.
Austria Team news
Austria will be drawing inspiration from their dependable rock in defence, Jovana Cavic who plies his trade for First Vienna Women’s team.
The 20-year-old defender has already played three games for his club this season and her presence at the back would be a morale booster for the team ahead of the game.
The experience of Sturm Graz midfielder, Julia Keutz, 20, will also be crucial for Austria having featured in the Champions League, and the Euro U19 Championships.
Both are expected to play important roles against Ghana on Monday.
Austria predicted lineup
(4-2-3-1): Rusek Larissa; Cavic Jovana, Seidl Nadine, Weiss Tatjana, Spinn Laura; Holl Anna, Keutz Julia; Purtscher Emilia, Rukavina, D’angelo Chiara; Madl Valentina.
Ghana team news
The Black Princesses head into this one in marginally better form. Coach Yussif Basigi has already certified his reign with an African Games gold medal and two draws in their last preparation games against favourites South Korea and Mexico have set the tone for how Basigi and his team could fare in Colombia.
The partnership between Stella Nyamekye, the newly elected captain of the team alongside Mafia Nyame has been one of Basigi’s biggest strengths and with Jennifer Owusuwaa getting a goal against South Korea, the trio will pose a threat to Austria’s defence.
Predicted team lineup
(4-3-3): Najat Salam; Comfort Yeboah, Alexandria Tay, Hannah Nyame, Abiba Issah; Stella Nyamekye, Mafia Nyame, Asana Ahlassan; Jennifer Owusua, Tracey Twum, Mary Amponsah.
What’s one word you will use to describe our Black Princesses?#FIFAU20WWC #StrongerTogether???????? #ShineBlackPrincesses?#BringBackTheLove ???? pic.twitter.com/FIkE0B7kfu
— Ghana Women National Teams ???????? (@GhanaWNT) September 1, 2024
The Black Princesses clearly will go into this fixture as the favourites with the vast experience they have. With Austria debuting in their first-ever World Cup appearance, the nerves might get one over them and as such could fumble against a Ghana team that has tasted the tournament six times already.
The post Black Princesses: Mission to break group stage jinx begins first appeared on 3News.
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