Omanghana
Ghana’s senior women’s national football team, the Black Queens, has won the 2026 Pink Ladies Cup in the United Arab Emirates despite being caught in the middle of rising tensions in the Middle East.
The team, made up of 25 players and 16 officials, is currently staying at the Four Points by Sheraton Sharjah. Although the players are reported to be safe, members of the team have admitted they remain worried as the security situation in the region continues to develop. Some players said they could see areas affected by recent missile strikes about 10 to 15 minutes away from their hotel.
At one point during the tournament, the team was asked to pack their belongings in preparation for a possible evacuation as airspace closures and security concerns affected travel in the region. Officials from the Ghana Football Association, led by President Kurt Okraku, together with representatives from Ghana’s diplomatic mission in the UAE, visited the team to reassure players and encourage them to remain calm.
Despite the tense situation, the Black Queens delivered an impressive performance in the tournament. Ghana defeated Hong Kong Women’s National Football Team 4–0 in their opening match and followed it with another 4–0 victory over the Russia Women’s National Football Team. The team’s final scheduled match against the Tanzania Women’s National Football Team was cancelled due to safety concerns, leading to the early conclusion of the competition and confirming Ghana as champions.
Several Ghanaian players also received individual awards. Doris Boaduwaa finished as the tournament’s top scorer with three goals, while Cynthia Findiib Konlan was named Best Goalkeeper after keeping two clean sheets.
The team had been using the tournament as preparation for the upcoming 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations. However, the competition has now been postponed to July 2026 after Morocco withdrew as the immediate host due to regional instability.
Source: Omanghana
