The FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup qualifiers are heating up as Ghana’s U20 women’s national team, affectionately known as the Black Princesses, prepare for a thrilling clash against South Africa’s “Basetsana” in the third round. This highly anticipated encounter follows a dominant performance by the Princesses in the previous round, where they secured a convincing 4-0 aggregate victory over Tunisia.
The first leg of this crucial tie is scheduled for Sunday, February 8, 2026, and will be held at the Accra Sports Stadium in Ghana, with kick-off at 3:30 pm. The Black Princesses will be looking to leverage their home advantage and the enthusiastic support of their fans to establish a strong lead. The return leg will see Ghana travel to South Africa, with the match set to take place at Mbombela Stadium on February 14, 2026, falling within a broader period of February 6 to 14.
Both teams are deep into their preparations, with intensive training camps underway. Ghana’s head coach, Charles Sampson, has assembled his squad, which includes the notable return of goalkeeper Jenna Kayla Sarpong and centre-back Alexandra Tay, as they aim for yet another World Cup appearance. On the South African side, coach Maud Khumalo has also finalized her team, indicating that both nations are ready for a fierce contest.
The stakes couldn’t be higher: the winner of this two-legged encounter will earn a spot in the fourth and final round of the qualifiers. Ghana boasts an impressive record, having qualified for the U20 Women’s World Cup seven times consecutively, though they’re still striving to advance beyond the group stage. Coach Sampson exudes confidence, articulating the team’s unwavering goal: “Our goal is to qualify for the World Cup”.
Adding to the official proceedings, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) has appointed Tunisian referee Asma Chouchane to officiate Ghana’s first leg against South Africa. She will be assisted by fellow Tunisians Nesrine Quertatani and Khouloud Amri.
With intense preparations and high ambitions on both sides, anticipation for these matches is palpable. Fans are eagerly awaiting what promises to be an exciting battle for a place in the FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup.
Story by: Andrews Addotey
