Ghana’s Black Princesses stumbled at the first hurdle of the 2024 FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup, losing 2-1 to Austria in their Group E opener on Monday.
The seven-time finalists conceded in each half, including a penalty, against the tournament debutants in Colombia.
Austria struck first on 12 minutes through Hannah Fankhausser, before doubling their lead from the spot in the 71st minute. Asana Alhassan’s infringement in the box led to the penalty, which Nicole Ojukwu duly converted.
Stella Nyamekye pulled one back for Ghana deep into stoppage time, but it proved too little, too late for the West African side.
The result leaves Ghana with an uphill task to progress from a group that also includes Spain and Canada.