Linda Owusu ansah's ACL tear hits Black princesses' U20 women World Cup

Ghana’s under‑20 women’s national side, the Black Princesses, have lost captain and midfield anchor Linda Owusu Ansah to an ACL tear, joining six other key players ruled out through severe injuries ahead of the 2026 FIFA U‑20 Women’s World Cup in Poland.

Injury crisis hits Black Princesses

The captain suffered the ACL rupture while on senior duty with the Black Queens at the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations. Poland.Seven key players have been ruled out, a blow that Sampson.The most devastating blow to the squad. The injury removes the midfield anchor from the U‑20 World Cup roster.

Owusu Ansah plies her trade for AFC Toronto in Canada and was pivotal in qualification, famously scoring the free‑kick that secured Ghana’s spot against Uganda. Her club form and international experience underscored her importance to the youth side.

Goalkeeping depth has been critically depleted, with elite custodians Asana Osman, Grace Andoh and Jenna Kayla Sarpong all sidelined by injuries. Their absence leaves the Black Princesses with limited options between the posts.

The attacking line also suffers, as forwards Mercy Attobrah and Mary Amponsah are out, and midfielder Jessica Appiah joins the casualty list. The loss of these players further restricts the team’s offensive options.

Head coach Charles Sampson must now rapidly alter his tactical blueprints, having arrived with the remaining squad at a pre‑tournament camp in Krakow, Poland. He is using a series of international friendlies to test new combinations and integrate late replacements.

Ghana has been placed in Group C and will open its eighth consecutive World Cup campaign against Ecuador on 6 September 2026, before facing South Korea and France.