Black Princesses walk tightrope after stalemate

Ghana’s Black Princesses twice took the lead but were held to a gripping 2–2 draw by South Africa in the first leg of the third round of the African FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup qualifiers at the Accra Sports Stadium yesterday, leaving their qualification hopes hanging delicately in the balance.

The result sets up a tense return leg in Johannesburg next Friday, with the aggregate winner advancing to the draw for Africa’s final qualifying round for the global tournament scheduled for Poland from September 5–27, 2026.

Determined to build a cushion at home, Ghana started aggressively and pinned South Africa back from the outset. Early pressure yielded a succession of set pieces, and after sustained dominance, the breakthrough arrived in the 33rd minute when Agnes Yeboah powered home a header from Linda Owusu Ansah’s perfectly delivered corner to put the Princesses ahead.

Ghana pushed for a second before the break, but were repeatedly denied by an outstanding South African goalkeeper, Casey Kim Gordon, who produced a string of fine saves to keep her side in the contest.

The visitors struck back immediately after the restart, stunning the home crowd in the 48th minute when Zoe October unleashed a superb long-range strike into the top corner.

Ghana responded almost instantly, Owusu Ansah restoring the lead in dramatic fashion as her curling corner kick flew straight into the net.

South Africa, however, refused to fold and drew level again on the hour mark through Wezi Khoza, who finished off a slick team move to make it 2–2 and shift the momentum firmly back into the tie.

Ghana threw everything forward in search of a decisive goal, creating late chances and even having a strike ruled out for offside, but profligacy in the closing stages proved costly.

With the tie finely poised, the Princesses now head to South Africa knowing they must deliver a composed and clinical performance away from home to keep their World Cup dream alive.