Black Princesses head coach Charles Simpson has praised his side’s mental fortitude after they overcame significant logistical hurdles and a fierce South African fightback to move within touching distance of the 2026 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup.
Speaking in the wake of a decisive 1-0 victory in Johannesburg, Simpson revealed that the road to the final qualifying round was paved with more than just tactical challenges.
The coach admitted to feeling a sense of “unbelievable emotion” after seeing his players rise above “huge” obstacles during their stay in South Africa to secure a 3-2 aggregate win.
The Princesses arrived in South Africa under immense scrutiny following a disappointing 2-2 draw in the home leg in Accra.
Despite the external pressure and what Simpson described as “uncomfortable” situations in camp, the team remained focused on the singular prize, a plane ticket to Poland.
“Well, our goal is to go to the World Cup, and South Africa posed to be a challenge for us, so we are extremely happy we could surpass them,” Simpson said, reflecting on the victory.
The coach highlighted the tactical discipline his squad showed at the Nelspruit-Mbombela Stadium, where they successfully shut down South Africa’s attacking patterns before Priscilla Mensah struck the winner in the 63rd minute.
With South Africa now in the rearview mirror, Simpson is already shifting his focus to the final round of qualifying.
The Black Princesses are scheduled to face Uganda in a two-legged play-off this May, with the first fixture set for the start of the month.
The break between now and May offers a vital window for the technical team to reassess.
Simpson noted that the squad will use this period to study their next opponents and refine their “last step”—the clinical finishing that he felt was missing during the first leg in Accra.
“Now we will have time to prepare and look at which one is our next opponent,” Simpson added.
The stakes could not be higher; a victory over two legs in May would ensure Ghana makes its eighth consecutive appearance at the global showpiece.
Simpson also took a moment to thank the Ghanaian public, whose support he deemed essential during the team’s testing trip abroad.
As the Princesses return home to Accra to begin their next phase of training, the coach remains adamant that the mission is far from over until qualification is officially signed and sealed.
