Omanghana
Black Queens head coach Kim Lars Björkegren has outlined an ambitious three-stage plan for Ghana at the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, with qualification for the FIFA Women’s World Cup and a first continental title at the heart of the team’s campaign.
Speaking ahead of Ghana’s opening match against Cape Verde, the Swedish coach said the team’s immediate objective was to advance from the group stage. The next challenge would be to win its quarter-final and secure a place among the tournament’s final four teams.
Reaching the semi-finals would automatically qualify Ghana for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil. If the Black Queens achieve that objective, Björkegren wants his players to turn their attention toward winning the WAFCON trophy.
“For me, and I think for all of us, it’s a clear target to make the top four, to make the World Cup,” he said. “If we make the top four, then we push for the gold.”
The coach’s targets reflect a step-by-step approach designed to keep the players focused on the immediate assignment while maintaining the team’s larger ambitions.
Ghana’s first task will be to navigate a demanding Group D, which also contains Cape Verde, Cameroon and Mali. The Black Queens begin their campaign against tournament debutants Cape Verde at the Moulay Rachid Stadium in Casablanca on Wednesday, July 29.
They will return to the same venue to face Cameroon on Sunday, August 2, before completing their group-stage program against Mali on Thursday, August 6. CAF’s official tournament information confirms the three dates and venue.
Cape Verde may be competing at WAFCON for the first time, but Björkegren and his players are unlikely to underestimate their opening opponents. A positive result would place Ghana in a strong position before the more experienced Cameroon and Mali encounters.
Cameroon will offer the Black Queens a stern test because of their experience at major African and international tournaments. Mali, meanwhile, are known for their physical strength and competitiveness, making Ghana’s final group match another potentially decisive encounter.
The Black Queens prepared for the competition with a training camp in Morocco. Their preparations ended on an encouraging note with a 4-0 friendly victory over Malawi, providing the squad with a timely confidence boost before the start of competitive action.
Beyond the result, the training camp allowed the technical team to assess player fitness, refine its tactical approach and improve coordination within the squad. Playing in Morocco also helped the team acclimatize to the local conditions before its opening fixture.
The 2026 tournament carries added significance because it doubles as Africa’s qualification competition for the 2027 Women’s World Cup. The four teams that win their quarter-finals will qualify directly for the global tournament, while losing quarter-finalists will have another route through play-in matches and the inter-confederation playoffs. CAF’s official WAFCON schedule lists Ghana’s fixtures as part of Group D.
World Cup qualification would end a long absence for the Black Queens, whose last appearance on the global stage came in 2007. Ghana previously participated in three consecutive editions of the tournament in 1999, 2003 and 2007 but has since struggled to return.
A place in Brazil would therefore represent a major achievement for Björkegren and the current generation of players. It would also provide greater international exposure for Ghanaian women’s football and offer the squad an opportunity to compete against the world’s leading national teams.
Ghana enters the competition determined to build on its bronze-medal finish at the previous WAFCON. That performance restored confidence in the Black Queens and raised expectations ahead of the 2026 tournament.
However, Björkegren’s ambitions extend beyond repeating that achievement. Ghana has never won the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, despite reaching the final on several occasions. Capturing the trophy in Morocco would therefore mark a historic breakthrough for the national team.
For now, the focus remains on Cape Verde and securing a strong start. Björkegren’s message is clear: survive the group, win the crucial quarter-final to reach the World Cup and then challenge for the continental crown.
Source: Omanghana
