Sports
Ghana beat New Zealand to end FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup on high
Ghana exited yet another FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup despite a 3:1 win over New Zealand in Group E.
The Black Princesses were in contention for a place in the next round as one of the best third placed finishers but Argentina’s win earlier in the day, meant that both New Zealand and Ghana were eliminated from knockout stage calculations, rendering the clash a dead-rubber.
Ghana were looking to make it past the group stage for the first time in history having qualified for the biennial tournament for the 7th straight time but defeats to Austria and Japan made that dream an impossibility.
Beline Nyarkoh had the earlier chance in the 15th minute but her effort was blocked off for a corner kick. Salamatu Abdullai solo run at goal was ruled out for offside to deny Ghana the lead in the 23rd minute.
Wasiima Mohammed’s cross from a corner kick was slotted home by Salamatu Abdulai to give Ghana the lead in the 59th minute. But a defensive blunder handed New Zealand the equaliser in the 63rd minute.
Jennifer Owusuwaa was guilty of a glaring miss from a header to put Ghana in the lead. Ghana’s second goal owed plenty to the impressive Stella Nyamekye, who provided a cross that was met by Abdulai Salamatu, with Madeleine Iro unable to reach her looping header.
Tracey Twum replaced Jennifer Owusuwaa whose first touch resulted in the 3rd goal in the 94th minute as Ghana ended the group with a 3-1 win and in third place with 3 points, while New Zealand finish bottom after three straight defeats.
Midfielder Thomas Partey will miss Ghana’s first match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Toronto after Canadian authorities refused him entry.
A FIFA statement to The Athletic confirmed the Arsenal star cannot travel from Ghana’s base camp in Boston, USA, for Wednesday’s, June 17, opener against Panama.
“FIFA can confirm that player Thomas Partey will be unable to travel from Ghana’s team base camp in Boston, USA, to Canada for their first match against Panama on Wednesday, 17 June, as his visa application has been refused by the Canadian government,” the statement read.
FIFA stressed it has no role in immigration decisions: “FIFA is not involved in the immigration processes of host countries, including the adjudication of visas. As with previous FIFA events, the host government ultimately determines who receives a visa and is admitted into the country.”
Canadian immigration rules state that “if you have committed or been convicted of a crime, you may not be allowed into Canada.” Partey has been charged with offenses in the UK but is awaiting trial and has not been convicted.
The Black Stars will now have to do without their midfield anchor for the crucial Group E opener against Panama.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
Ghana have arrived in Providence, Rhode Island, for the final phase of preparations ahead of their 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign. The team departed Virginia on Thursday afternoon and touched down at T.F. Green International Airport in Rhode Island at about 6:00 p.m.
Head Coach Carlos Queiroz and his squad will resume training on Friday as they fine-tune preparations for their opening Group L game against Panama.
The Black Stars wrapped up a week-long training camp in Washington following their international friendly against Wales in Cardiff.
The camp in Virginia included intensive sessions at the American University and D.C. United training ground and a farewell dinner with the Ghanaian community in Alexandria.
Ghana now enters the final stretch of preparation in Providence before heading to Toronto for the June 17 opener against Panama at Toronto Stadium.
The Black Stars will also face England in Boston on June 23 and Croatia in Philadelphia on June 27 to complete Group L.
Queiroz’s 26-man squad features captain Jordan Ayew, Thomas Partey, Iñaki Williams, Antoine Semenyo, and goalkeeper Lawrence Ati-Zigi, who is set for his second successive World Cup.
The team is expected to hold training sessions and series of Community engagement programs in Rhode Island in the coming days.
