Head Coach Joe Nana Adarkwa says the Black Maidens must win at all costs when they face Brazil in their second Group C match of the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup.
Speaking ahead of the crucial encounter on Wednesday at the Mohammed VI Football Academy, Adarkwa admitted his side fell short in the 3-0 defeat to Norway.
"As we turn the page and look ahead to our crucial match against Brazil, I want to be direct about where we stand. We played our best against Norway, but our best was not enough. That is football - sometimes you win, sometimes you lose. We have no excuses. We lost, and we accept it. Now, our entire focus is on the next game," he said.
The coach identified finishing as a critical area that must improve.
"Our match against Norway exposed a critical area we must address: our finishing. We couldn't shoot, and quite frankly, I don't know why the players hesitated. In a game situation, you cannot expect players to walk the ball to the post. No coach will accept that. We have watched the match, we have analyzed it, and we have already worked on our shooting in training. We are now going to see if we can apply that work in a match environment. I know the girls are going to apply it."
Adarkwa, however, says the mood in camp remains positive.
"Psychologically, the team is in a good place. The atmosphere in training is at a high level, and we have nothing to complain about. The energy is positive, and the focus is sharp."
On the goalkeeping department, the coach revealed a final decision will be made in the coming hours.
"As of now, we have a few hours to make a final decision on our goalkeeper. I will sit with my technical team, and we will decide who will keep. But I want to be clear: we have no problem in that department. We have three capable goalkeepers, and any one of them can step up and do the job."
The Maidens need a result to keep their qualification hopes alive.
"Our objective for the Brazil match is simple and non-negotiable: we have to win at all costs. We cannot lose this match. A win or a draw will be okay, so that we can tackle the last match with a clear path forward. But make no mistake, we are going for the win. We know this will be a tough match. Brazil is a formidable opponent, but we will deliver. The girls are ready."
Ghana will face Brazil at 18:00 GMT on Wednesday, October 21, before taking on Canada in their final group game on Saturday.
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