Sports
Ghana lose to Japan in FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup
Ghana lost 4-1 to Japan in their second Group E match of the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in Colombia.
The Black Princesses went into the game looking to record their first win in the tournament but conceded two goals each in either half as they suffered their second successive defeat in the competition.
Ghana started the game well by maintaining their composure and held their nerves for 40 minutes.
Sasai scored in the 45th minute to give Japan the lead before Matsukubo netted their second in added time after a howler from goalkeeper Afi Amenyeku.
Mafia Nyame and Mercy Attobra were introduced for Wasiima Mohammed and Mary Amponsah in the second half of the game. But that was unimpactful as Bayana scored from a goalmouth scramble to extend the lead for the young Nadeshiko.
Stella Nyamekye converted a penalty to reduce the deficit after she was fouled in the 83rd minute. That didn’t take long as Matsunaga deepened the woes of the Black Princesses to end the game 4:1.
The results leaves Ghana with no point having suffered a 2-1 loss to Austria in their opening game.
Ghana will play their last Group E match against New Zealand on Sunday, September 8, 2024 at the Pascual Guerrero stadium, Cali.
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.
