Black Maidens will face Argentina in the Round of 16 at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco on Wednesday, with a place in the quarter-finals at stake.

The match is scheduled to kick off at 15:00 GMT on 28 October at the Mohammed VI Football Complex, as coach Joe Nana Adarkwa’s side look to build on their impressive victory over Canada.

Ghana booked their place in the knockout stage with a 2-0 win over Canada in their final Group C match, recovering from a difficult start to the tournament to finish with four points.

The Black Maidens opened their campaign with a 3-0 defeat by Norway before staging a spirited comeback to draw 3-3 with Brazil.

They responded when it mattered most against Canada, with substitutes Linda Achiaa and Christiana Ashiaku scoring in the 65th minute and deep into stoppage time respectively to secure qualification.

Achiaa made an immediate impact, finding the net just 35 seconds after coming on, while Ashiaku sealed the victory with a late second goal.

Argentina, meanwhile, enter the knockout stage after an unbeaten group campaign and are expected to provide a stern test for the Ghanaian youngsters.

Adarkwa is likely to retain much of the team that defeated Canada, with Player of the Match Seidatu Wahab and Jessica Appiah expected to play important roles in midfield.

Ghana’s defensive unit, including goalkeeper Belinda Aku Aklie and defenders Rafia Osman, Hajara Adam, Latifa Musah and Seraphina Esse Essenam, will also be under pressure to contain Argentina’s attacking threat.

The impact of Ghana’s substitutes could again prove decisive, with Achiaa, Ashiaku and Priscilla Mensah offering attacking options from the bench.

Adarkwa acknowledged that the challenge would become tougher as the tournament progressed but expressed confidence in his team’s ability to compete.

“We know we are heading to difficult times. We are going to face tougher opposition, and we are going to work towards that,” he said after the win over Canada.

“We came here purposely for a win, and it happened. Now we must do it again.”

A win against Argentina would send Ghana into the quarter-finals and mark another significant step in their campaign in Morocco.