The Black Queens of Ghana are set to make a long-awaited return to the continental stage as they kick off their 2025 TotalEnergies Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) campaign against defending champions South Africa on Monday in Group C.
Ghana missed out on the last edition in 2022 but arrive in Morocco with renewed ambition and belief under the leadership of Swedish head coach Kim Lars Björkegren. The three-time runners-up are aiming for a strong comeback after a 19-year absence from the WAFCON final.
Speaking to the media on Sunday ahead of the highly anticipated clash, Coach Björkegren projected a calm and confident demeanor, stating that pressure is not something he allows to distract his focus.
“For me, it’s very clear: if you’re a coach at this level, pressure can’t exist. You can be a little nervous, but you have to control what you can control,” he said.
Despite acknowledging Ghana’s underdog status, Björkegren is confident in the team’s potential to cause upsets in the tournament.
“If we stick to the game plan and have a good day, we can beat any team,” he added.
Ghana’s squad blends physical resilience with tactical maturity and has shown glimpses of promise in recent friendlies, recording victories over Malawi and Benin, though they recently suffered a 3-1 defeat to Nigeria. Under Björkegren’s direction, the team is focused on executing a disciplined approach while embracing the “dark horse” label as motivation.
“Of course, we know we’re a bit of an underdog, but I know that we have the quality in this group to beat all the teams in this tournament,” the Swedish coach noted.
Ghana and South Africa have faced off five times previously, with Banyana Banyana winning four of those encounters. Ghana claimed their sole victory in their last meeting in 2016, securing a 1-0 win to clinch third place in that tournament.
South Africa, ranked 54th in the world, head into the game in strong form, unbeaten in their last seven matches, winning six and drawing one. Their solid defense has been particularly impressive, conceding just 0.6 goals per game on average.
Coach Björkegren also reflected on the personal significance of leading the Black Queens at WAFCON, sharing how African football captivated him as a child growing up in Sweden.
“This is deeply rooted in a lifelong dream,” he said. “I was once captivated by African football tournaments from my living room couch, and now I’m here leading one of the teams.”
The Black Queens will be hoping to begin their campaign on a high note as they look to defy the odds and reignite their legacy in African women’s football.