Believe is a strong attribute one can possess. And for Ghana’s Abraham Allotey, there’s a strong conviction of a Ghana team playing at the Women's Under-20 World Cup in 2010 to be hosted by Germany.

Allotey coached Ghana’s women’s Under-17 side at the debut World Cup in New Zealand and despite the Black Maidens failing to advance past the group stage; he remains excited in the project started in 2007.

Ghana overcame two successive defeats in the African qualifiers to manage a place in the list 16 of finalists for the maiden World Cup.

"It was a marvellous experience for them," Allotey said.

And the comeback record in the African qualifiers remains a statement of intent ahead of many challenges when the qualifiers for the U-20 tournament on the continent gets underway next year.

Abraham Allotey saw his team draw, lose and pull a win in the final group game at the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup in New Zealand with the hope of reaching the last eight but the result in the other group game dashed Ghana’s ambitions.

The first round exit hasn’t completely diminished the hopes of the Ghanaian coach but the experience has rather given him something to look out for.

“I think this was a great experience for the girls,” the Ghana coach said.

“This is a team that only came together in December last year, and they've come so far already.”

Playing against seasoned campaigners in women’s football irrespective of the age-competition, Ghana never felt short in their approach to the game.

Ghana did not boast of the strength show by teams like Germany and the U.S before the start of FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup in New Zealand but the Black Maidens left a mark at the tournament showing their desire to compete at the highest level.

“It's a shame that we're leaving the tournament just as the team is coming into form, though,” Abraham Allotey said after the final group game after Ghana had shown their desire to go the distance in the competition.

Look to reach Germany 2010

It might be a sad situation to leave the tournament just when the team were hitting their peak but Ghana really enjoyed their moments.

Ghana can boast of younger squad members who are expected to mature with time.

Ghana went to New Zealand with Ellen Coleman, who at just 12 years and 10 months old, was the youngest-ever player - male or female - to appear in a competitive FIFA match.

Now, another opportunity lies ahead for Ghana to take their women’s football agenda to another level.

And Allotey is aiming a place at the Women's Under-20 World Cup in 2010. Ghana missed out in the last qualifying round for a place in Chile 2008, venue for the Women's Under-20 World Cup.

“I've enjoyed the whole experience, and I'm sure we will be at the U-20 tournament in two years' time.”

Lots of players would be in the production line as Ghana hopes to reach Germany in two years time with lots of the present Black Maidens players who stand the chance of gaining promotion to the Under-20 side.

Steffi Jones, the President of the Organising Committee of the FIFA Women's World Cup Germany 2011 wants to see some of the Black Maidens squad members at the senior’s event a year after the Under-20 event.

"Women's football in Africa has real potential and the enthusiasm there for our sport is almost boundless. I hope that we will be seeing some of these girls again here in 2011," said Steffi Jones.