Former Black Stars midfielder Michael Essien says he is proud of the Black Princesses despite the humiliating opening day defeat to their French counterparts in the FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup.

The Black Princesses succumbed to a 4-1 defeat to the hosts in Vannes.

Emelyne Laurent's double and Helene Fercocq's strike gave Les Bleuettes a three-goal lead, before half time. However, Black Princeses forward Sandra Owusu Ansah pulled one back before Sandy Baltimore struck in stoppage time to condemn the West Africans at Stade de la Rabine in Vannes.

Despite the painful defeat, former Chelsea midfielder Michael Essien, who was in Brittany and watch the opener between the two countries backed the Princesses to get back to form, adding he was proud of their performance.