Ghana's U-17 women face Argentina in Rabat with a last-eight spot at stake, and coach Joe Nana Adarkwa is warning of tougher times ahead.
Ghana's Black Maidens are one win away from the quarter-finals of the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup, and coach Joe Nana Adarkwa is not pretending the next step will be easy. Ghana meet Argentina in the Round of 16 on Wednesday at the Mohammed VI Football Academy in Rabat, Morocco.
The West Africans earned their place the hard way. After a 3-0 loss to Norway in their opener, they bounced back with a thrilling 3-3 draw against Brazil, then beat Canada 2-0 in their last group game to finish top of Group C. It was a real turnaround from a shaky start.
Adarkwa says the improvement in results will not change what lies ahead. "Going forward, I know we are heading into difficult times," he said, adding that the team expects stronger opposition and will keep working to meet it.
Argentina arrive full of belief. The South Americans also topped their group, powered by a 5-1 win over hosts Morocco and a 2-0 victory against New Zealand. That makes them a dangerous side with scoring power and momentum.
For Ghana, the equation is simple: match that intensity, keep the energy that carried them past Canada, and earn a spot among the last eight. A young Black Maidens side has the chance to write a big chapter for African women's football on African soil.
