Ghana’s Black Maidens will meet Argentina in the last 16 of the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco on Wednesday, with a quarter-final place at stake.
The match will begin at 15:00 GMT on 28 October at the Mohammed VI Football Complex, as Joe Nana Adarkwa’s side attempt to continue the recovery that earned them a place in the knockout stage.
Ghana secured second place in Group C with a 2-0 victory over Canada in their final group match. That result gave them four points after a challenging opening to the tournament.
Their campaign began with a 3-0 defeat by Norway, before they showed resilience to claim a 3-3 draw against Brazil. Victory over Canada then ensured their progress to the last 16.
Substitutes Linda Achiaa and Christiana Ashiaku scored the decisive goals against Canada. Achiaa needed only 35 seconds after coming on to put Ghana ahead in the 65th minute, while Ashiaku added the second deep into stoppage time.
Argentina arrive at the Mohammed VI Football Complex unbeaten in the group stage and are expected to present a demanding test for the Ghanaian team.
Adarkwa is expected to keep faith with much of the side that defeated Canada. Player of the Match Seidatu Wahab and Jessica Appiah are likely to be central to Ghana’s efforts in midfield.
Goalkeeper Belinda Aku Aklie will also have an important role, with defenders Rafia Osman, Hajara Adam, Latifa Musah and Seraphina Esse Essenam tasked with limiting Argentina’s attacking threat.
Ghana’s options from the bench could again be significant. Achiaa and Ashiaku are available to provide further attacking impetus, while Priscilla Mensah offers another alternative in the forward positions.
Adarkwa accepted that the level of opposition would increase as the competition moved into its knockout phase, but said his players were prepared for the challenge.
“We know we are heading to difficult times. We are going to face tougher opposition, and we are going to work towards that,” he said after the win over Canada.
“We came here purposely for a win, and it happened. Now we must do it again.”
A victory over Argentina would take Ghana into the quarter-finals and represent another important advance in their campaign at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco.
