Ghana’s Black Princesses bid farewell to the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup despite a spirited 3-1 victory over New Zealand. The star of the match was undoubtedly Salamatu Abdulai, whose dazzling performance saw her net two crucial goals in the second half, highlighting her individual brilliance even as the team’s journey in the tournament came to an end.
In a match filled with excitement, it wasn’t until the second half that the game truly came to life.
After a goalless first half, Abdulai broke the deadlock in the 59th minute with a well-executed goal that followed a slick build-up by the Ghanaian side.
Her clinical finish sent the Black Princesses into celebration and marked the beginning of their offensive resurgence against New Zealand.
Thirteen minutes later, Abdulai struck again, solidifying Ghana’s dominance.
Her second goal showcased her sharp instincts and ability to exploit defensive weaknesses, bringing her tally to two and nearly delivering a perfect performance for her side.
Her impressive contributions put Ghana in firm control of the match.
However, Abdulai’s hopes for a hat-trick were dashed when VAR intervened.
A promising effort from the young forward in the 31st minute, which had initially given the impression of a third goal, was ultimately ruled out after a review determined she was offside.
Although denied the coveted hat-trick, Abdulai’s influence on the match remained undeniable.
Despite the victory, Ghana’s overall campaign ended in disappointment.
The Black Princesses exited the tournament, unable to advance past the group stage once again.
Their elimination underscored the challenges the team faced in the earlier matches of the competition, where they struggled to find their footing against tougher opponents.
For Salamatu Abdulai, however, the individual performance was a shining light in an otherwise difficult tournament for Ghana.
Her skill and determination were on full display, and she leaves the tournament with her head held high, having made a memorable contribution on the world stage.
Ghana’s early exit may be a bitter pill to swallow, but the victory against New Zealand and Abdulai’s standout performance offer hope for the future.
The Black Princesses can take pride in their final display, even as they turn their attention to building on this experience in preparation for future competitions.
