Ghana’s Black Princesses will begin their FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup campaign against Ecuador on Sunday, with head coach Charles Sampson confident his players are ready for the challenge.
Ghana have been preparing for the tournament in Poland and will be hoping to make a strong start in Group C, which also includes Korea Republic and France.
Sampson says the team has completed its preparations and is eager to finally get onto the pitch.
“Finally, the day is getting closer, or it has already come. We’re facing Ecuador tomorrow. We’ve been waiting for this for I can’t remember how long, so we just can’t wait to be on the field tomorrow,” he said.
The Black Princesses had a lighter training session on Saturday, focusing on set pieces and keeping the players fresh ahead of the opening match.
“Today was just to touch on a few aspects of the game and do a little bit of set pieces and get the body ready and fresh for tomorrow. So the intensity was not much, and we are very satisfied. The girls are ready.”
Sampson believes the players are focused and have gained additional motivation from the presence of Ghanaian dignitaries who have visited the team in Poland.
The coach also admitted to feeling the significance of the occasion as Ghana prepare to begin another World Cup campaign.
“It has been a dream. It has been a privilege, and the journey has been amazing, so we are looking forward to showcasing what we have to the world tomorrow.”
Ghana will be seeking to make history by reaching the knockout stage of the U-20 Women’s World Cup for the first time.
Sampson is not hiding his immediate objective, insisting the Black Princesses will approach the Ecuador game with the intention of securing all three points.
“We are going in with the intention of winning. That’s the first game we have in the group and we know that it is very vital,” he said.
The coach has called on Ghanaians to continue supporting the team as they begin their campaign.
“Tomorrow we will bring out the best of ourselves and make sure that we get what we are looking for.”
Ghana face Ecuador on Sunday, September 6, before playing Korea Republic and France in their remaining Group C matches.
Source: ghanasoccernet.com
