By Nadia Ntiamoah
The Black Maidens have once again booked their place at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup after edging Senegal 7-6 in a dramatic penalty shootout at the Accra Sports Stadium, capping a fiercely contested final qualifying tie that showcased the resilience and determination of both sides.
The qualification marked another milestone for the renowned women’s youth football programme, which has consistently been among Africa’s strongest at the U-17 level.
The Black Maidens have built an impressive reputation over the years, producing talented players who have gone on to represent the country at higher levels while maintaining the regular presence at FIFA youth tournaments.
Heading into the decisive second leg, the tie was delicately balanced after the two teams played out a 1-1 draw in the first leg in Senegal.
The return fixture in Accra followed a similar pattern, with another 1-1 draw leaving the aggregate score tied at 2-2 after regulation time.
Buoyed by a passionate home crowd, the Black Maidens made a bright start, dominating possession and creating several promising scoring opportunities as they sought an early breakthrough.
However, Senegal proved equally determined, frustrating the hosts with disciplined defending while posing threats of their own in an entertaining and closely fought encounter.
Neither side managed to find the decisive goal that would separate them over the two legs, forcing the qualification battle to be decided by a penalty shootout.
The shootout produced high drama as both teams displayed remarkable composure from the spot, converting penalty after penalty to keep the contest alive. With neither side giving an inch, the battle eventually entered sudden death.
It was Ghana who finally emerged victorious, holding their nerve to claim a thrilling 7-6 win on penalties and spark jubilant celebrations inside the Accra Sports Stadium.
Players, coaches and supporters erupted with joy as the final successful penalty confirmed the Black Maidens’ qualification for the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup, extending the proud tradition of competing on the global stage.
