France End Black Princesses World Cup Run

Ghana’s Black Princesses have suffered another group-stage exit from the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup after France handed them a heavy 4-0 defeat in their final Group C match in Poland.

The defeat left Ghana at the bottom of the group and extended their wait for a first-ever appearance in the knockout stage of the competition.

The Black Princesses entered the match knowing that a draw could keep their hopes of reaching the next round alive. They had revived their chances after beating South Korea in their second group game.

Coach Charles Sampson made one change to the team that started against South Korea, bringing in Latifa Abesik for the injured Esther Asamoah.

Ghana appeared to take an early lead through Priscilla Mensah, but the officials ruled out the goal for offside.

Neither side could break the deadlock before half-time as the teams went into the break level at 0-0.

France, however, returned from the break with a much stronger performance and took control of the game.

The European side scored four unanswered goals in the second half to secure a convincing victory and send Ghana out of the tournament.

South Korea’s victory over Ecuador also confirmed Ghana’s elimination. The result left France top of Group C with seven points, followed by South Korea on four points. Ecuador finished third with three points, the same number as Ghana, but Ghana occupied the bottom position.

The latest exit means Ghana have now failed to progress beyond the group stage in all eight of their appearances at the U-20 Women’s World Cup since making their debut in 2010.

Ghana’s elimination also leaves three of Africa’s representatives out of the tournament, following the earlier exits of Benin and Tanzania.