Ghana’s Black Princesses were forced to settle for a 2-2 draw against South Africa in the first leg of their FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup qualifier at the Accra Sports Stadium on Sunday.
The hosts enjoyed a blistering start and appeared firmly in control after goals from Agnes Yeboah and Linda Owusu Ansah handed Charles Simpson’s side a two-goal cushion.
Dominating large spells of the contest, the Black Princesses looked poised to secure a vital home victory and carry a healthy advantage into the return fixture.
However, the tide turned as the game wore on. Ghana’s intensity dropped, allowing South Africa to grow in confidence and claw their way back into the contest.
The visitors capitalised on the shift in momentum, mounting an impressive comeback to snatch a draw that could prove crucial in the race for qualification.
The outcome comes as a disappointment for Ghana, who had hoped to make home advantage count following their emphatic aggregate triumph over Tunisia in the previous round.
South Africa, fresh from a commanding victory over Eswatini to reach this stage, once again underlined their resilience and attacking threat. With the second leg to be played on home soil, they will head into the return fixture full of belief.
The Black Princesses now turn their focus to the decisive second leg, scheduled for Sunday, February 14.
