Head Coach of the Black Princesses, Yussif Basigi, has set his sights on breaking the 14-year jinx of not advancing beyond the group stage in the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup.

Ghana has yet to progress to the second round of the tournament in their six consecutive appearances since 2010.

In a media briefing ahead of the team’s departure for a three-week training tour, Coach Basigi provided updates on their preparations and expressed optimism about their chances.

He took the opportunity to thank the Ghana Football Association (GFA) and the Ministry of Youth and Sports for their unwavering support.

“We are grateful to the Ghana Football Association and the Ministry for their constant support. Even with the renovation works ongoing in Prampram, they swiftly moved the team to Cape Coast to start preparations,” Basigi stated.

He emphasized the importance of early preparation, particularly since the women’s league was on break, leaving many players inactive. “Having them together quickly is good for the team,” he added.

Basigi also highlighted the comprehensive support from the Ministry and the GFA, which he believes will help the team make Ghana proud on the world stage.

Reflecting on his previous experience in 2018 when the team failed to progress past the group stage, Basigi is determined to break that jinx this year in Colombia.

“We are provided with all the maximum support we need to prepare well. The team is working hard, and I have been there in 2018 as the coach but couldn’t progress past the group stage. This year, we are looking at breaking that jinx,” he asserted.

He also called on the media to increase their support and awareness about the team's preparation for the World Cup.

The FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup is scheduled to kick off in Colombia from August 31 to September 22, 2024.

The Black Princesses will open their campaign against Austria on September 2, followed by matches against Japan and New Zealand in Group E.