Black Princesses set to participate in Women’s World Cup

The Black Princesses is set to participate in this year’s Women’s U-20 FIFA World Cup in France after Ghana’s delegation met with officials of FIFA last Friday in Zurich.

The meeting was a follow-up to the discussions held in Accra on June 21 in relation to the government’s proposal to dissolve the Ghana Football Association and bring reforms following the investigative documentary by ace journalist Anas Aremeyaw Anas on corruption in football in Ghana.

When Federation of Internal Football (FIFA) invited Ghana’s delegation to Zurich, it stated that two members of the Ghana FA, Alex Asante and Kweku Eyiah, needed to be present to discuss issues relating to the U-20 Women’s World Cup.

But Minister for Youth and Sports, Isaac Asiamah, told FIFA that due to a court injunction on the Football Association, its members could not perform their roles and functions.

However, according to the July 2 edition of the Graphic Sports, FIFA insisted on the presence of the FA officials and thus, Alex Asante, was there in his capacity as the Deputy General Secretary in charge of International Competitions.

Asante was joined by the FA’s Technical Director, Oti Akenteng, and these two were able to register Ghana for the competition under a special dispensation since Ghana had already missed the original deadline for the registration of teams.

The female national U-20 side is expected to get back to camp immediately to get ready for the tournament which is scheduled from August 4 to 25.

Preparations were halted to due to the freeze on all football activities in the country after the Anas exposé.

Coach Yusif Basigi and his charges will take on hosts, France, Netherlands and New Zealand in Group A of the tournament.

Ghana will start its campaign against France on August 5 in Vannes.

They will take on the Netherlands on August 8 in Vannes and New Zealand in Concarneau on August 12.