The Black Princesses, Ghana's Under-20 female football team are back home following their exit from the FIFA Women's World Cup (WWC) with a plea for more support for women's football.
Both Coach Bashir Hayford and captain Grace Adams in separate interviews said there was no doubt that women's football could thrive at the world stage if it received the needed financial and moral support.
"Our performance was not that bad and it was unfortunate that we exited at the group stage, but I believe the future is very bright and given the needed support our national teams can make big strides on the world stage," Coach Hayford told the Daily Graphic.
He said often it was only when the team had qualified for the World Cup that people tended to show support.
"However, the support should start from the grassroots where the players are groomed and nurtured. That is the only way to build the talent bank for women's football," he said.
Captain Adams also said not qualifying was a big disappointment to the team and apologised to the fans for letting them down.
"We really wanted to qualify to the quarter-finals to prove that we were capable and to make our nation and fans proud. Unforunately, we could not because we did not score enough goals. We are sorry," the Prisons Ladies defender said.
The team arrived last Thursday to a modest reception, with a youthful brass band, some Ghana Football Association (GFA) officials and some few supporters at the airport to welcome them.
