Ghana captain Linda Owusu Ansah targets knockout stage after ‘difficult’ World Cup draw

Ghana captain Linda Owusu Ansah says the Black Princesses are determined to reach the knockout stage of the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup despite being drawn in a challenging group alongside France, Korea Republic and Ecuador.

Ghana have never progressed beyond the group stage of the competition, while France and Korea Republic have both previously reached the semi-finals. The contrast in tournament experience makes Group C a demanding assignment for the African side, but Owusu Ansah believes it can also inspire Ghana to produce their best football.

The AFC Toronto player secured Ghana’s place at the finals with a decisive free-kick during their qualifying campaign against Uganda. With the Black Princesses facing the prospect of elimination, her goal rescued the team and completed their qualification.

The immediate celebrations have now subsided, with Owusu Ansah turning her attention to the challenge ahead. Speaking to the FIFA website, the Ghana captain said representing her country at a major international tournament was a long-held ambition.

“What excites me the most is being able to represent my country on the international stage, as I have always dreamed of,” she said.

Ghana will face three established football nations in their group. France and Korea Republic have already demonstrated their ability to compete deep into the tournament, while Ecuador also provide a significant test for a team seeking a first appearance in the knockout phase.

Owusu Ansah acknowledged the difficulty of the draw but said Ghana would approach the matches with confidence and determination.

“France, Korea Republic and Ecuador are all great footballing nations, but we will do our best to get out of the group stage,” she said. “We know it will be a big challenge for us, but we are Ghana and we have always loved challenges.”

The captain also pointed to the resilience Ghana showed during qualifying as evidence that the team can cope with the pressure of the finals. She believes the unity within the squad could prove just as important as their individual ability.

“We are hopeful that we can reach the knockout stages this time because we showed resilience during the qualifiers,” she said. “The team cohesion is excellent. I think if we can maintain this same mindset, we can go far in this World Cup.”

For Ghana, the tournament represents an opportunity to move beyond their previous group-stage exits. Owusu Ansah’s qualifying contribution has already made her a central figure in the team’s campaign, and the Black Princesses will now look to carry that spirit into the finals.

Their captain recognises the scale of the task, but expects Ghana’s willingness to embrace difficult challenges to shape their approach when they face France, Korea Republic and Ecuador.