Ghana’s Black Princesses gained advantage over Uganda in the first leg of the qualifiers for the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup Costa Rica 2022, with a 2-1 win in Kitende on Saturday.

Ghana made a bright start to the contest as Salamatu Abdulai gave the Ghanaians the first half lead after just 20 minutes of action at St Mary’s Stadium.

On return from recess, the Black Princesses built on their slim first half advantage, doubling their lead three minutes after the restart courtesy of Grace Anima’s strike.

2-0 down, Ugandans staged a fight back but could not find the net until Najjemba eventually reduced the deficit with a late consolation four minutes from the full-time.

Despite a first leg defeat, Uganda will seek to keep alive their maiden World Cup qualification dream when they visit Cape Coast for the second leg of the fourth round in a fortnight.

Both teams went into the contest on the back of an impressive third round displays in December 2021, with the West Africans edging Zambia 1-0 on aggregate, while the East Africans subdued South Africa by the same scoreline to advance.

Ghana are chasing a record sixth straight FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup participation. The Black Princesses made their first World Cup appearance in 2010 and have gone ahead to play in four tournaments on the spin. (2010, 2012,2014, 2016, 2018).