Ghana head coach Charles Sampson praised the character of his Black Princesses after they recovered from their opening defeat to beat South Korea 3-1 at the FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup. The result keeps Ghana’s hopes of reaching the knockout stage alive after they began their Group C campaign with a 3-0 loss to Ecuador. Sampson said his players responded to the setback with the belief and determination he expected from them, securing a vital victory in their second match. "The team really showed up. They showed the character that we know they have in the team; the belief they have for themselves and each other and today they exhibited it exactly how it should be," Sampson said after the game. "They made up their mind that we were going to take this game and that is what happened." Ghana had to wait until the second half to break the deadlock after a goalless opening 45 minutes. Captain Sarah Nyarko put the Black Princesses ahead in the 52nd minute with a long-range effort. Ivy Osei Owusu extended Ghana’s advantage just three minutes later, putting Sampson’s side in a commanding position. South Korea applied pressure as they attempted to respond, but Ghana remained in control before substitute Ruth Amponsah completed the scoring in the 84th minute. The victory was particularly important because Ghana entered the match needing a result to prevent their tournament campaign from quickly slipping away. Sampson, however, said the pressure had not affected his players or distracted them from their wider objective. "Pressure is part of it. We don't let that destabilise us. We came here with an aim, and we know from long that we have these three countries to play," he added. "Unfortunately, we didn't get the result we wanted in the first game. We have now got a result that brings us back into the game. So, we are approaching the France game to get the points that are needed to go further." The three points move Ghana on to three points in Group C and set up a decisive final group match against France on 12 September 2026. A positive result in that fixture could secure the Black Princesses’ qualification for the next round. Ghana’s opening loss to Ecuador had left them with little margin for error, but the win over South Korea has restored their prospects ahead of the final group game. Sampson’s team must now turn their attention to France, knowing that the points available in that match will determine whether their FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup campaign continues into the knockout stage.
Ghana head coach Charles Sampson praised the character of his Black Princesses after they recovered from their opening defeat to beat South Korea 3-1 at the FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup.
The result keeps Ghana’s hopes of reaching the knockout stage alive after they began their Group C campaign with a 3-0 loss to Ecuador.
Sampson said his players responded to the setback with the belief and determination he expected from them, securing a vital victory in their second match.
"The team really showed up. They showed the character that we know they have in the team; the belief they have for themselves and each other and today they exhibited it exactly how it should be," Sampson said after the game.
"They made up their mind that we were going to take this game and that is what happened."
Ghana had to wait until the second half to break the deadlock after a goalless opening 45 minutes. Captain Sarah Nyarko put the Black Princesses ahead in the 52nd minute with a long-range effort.
Ivy Osei Owusu extended Ghana’s advantage just three minutes later, putting Sampson’s side in a commanding position.
South Korea applied pressure as they attempted to respond, but Ghana remained in control before substitute Ruth Amponsah completed the scoring in the 84th minute.
The victory was particularly important because Ghana entered the match needing a result to prevent their tournament campaign from quickly slipping away. Sampson, however, said the pressure had not affected his players or distracted them from their wider objective.
"Pressure is part of it. We don't let that destabilise us. We came here with an aim, and we know from long that we have these three countries to play," he added.
"Unfortunately, we didn't get the result we wanted in the first game. We have now got a result that brings us back into the game. So, we are approaching the France game to get the points that are needed to go further."
The three points move Ghana on to three points in Group C and set up a decisive final group match against France on 12 September 2026.
A positive result in that fixture could secure the Black Princesses’ qualification for the next round. Ghana’s opening loss to Ecuador had left them with little margin for error, but the win over South Korea has restored their prospects ahead of the final group game.
Sampson’s team must now turn their attention to France, knowing that the points available in that match will determine whether their FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup campaign continues into the knockout stage.
Send your news stories to [email protected] and via WhatsApp on +233 546310076.
Read Full Story
Facebook
Twitter
Pinterest
Instagram
Google+
YouTube
LinkedIn
RSS