Ghana’s Black Queens will walk into uncharted territory tomorrow night when they meet England’s Lionesses for the first time ever in a women’s international fixture at St Mary’s Stadium in Southampton.
For Ghana, this important fixture provides a rare chance to measure themselves against one of the global giants of the women’s game, while the hosts get another chance to flex the strength of the global powerhouse they have become.
The gulf in pedigree cannot be ignored, and on paper, the contest resembles a classic mismatch. England, champions of Europe in 2021 and 2023 and finalists at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup, have become a force to be reckoned with in the women’s game, under the inspiring leadership of their Dutch manager, Sarina Wiegman.
An 8-0 thumping of China in an international friendly at Wembley Stadium last Saturday served as another reminder of the quality of opposition Ghana must brace for.
The Black Queens, meanwhile, continue to rebuild with cautious optimism under Swedish coach Kim Lars Björkegren, who guided the team to win bronze at the last Women’s AFCON and is gearing up for another assault on the continental showpiece next year.
The Swedish coach is under no illusions about the magnitude of the task ahead. For him, this is the ultimate test.
“We’re jumping into deep water to see if we can swim against the best team in the world,” he admitted. “It’s going to be really tough, and we need to understand that.
However, we also recognise that we possess some qualities. We may not be top five in the world yet, but we need to challenge ourselves.”
Night of emotion
For all the tactical intrigue, the match also carries emotional resonance for the team’s new poster girl, Chantelle Boye-Hlorkah.
Born in England to a Ghanaian father and British mother, the forward will line up against the country she once represented at the Under-19 and Under-23 levels.
Having switched allegiance this year, she has already become indispensable to Björkegren’s side, helping Ghana to WAFCON bronze and earning the 2025 SWAG Female Footballer of the Year award.
Tomorrow will be a personal milestone in the rapidly rising international career of the Nottingham Forest Ladies star.
Bjorkegren has named a 24-player squad spearheaded by experienced figures including Cynthia Konlan Findeeb, Portia Boakye, Grace Asantewaa, Jennifer Cudjoe, Evelyn Badu, Doris Boaduwaa, Mercy Amponsah and Stella Nyamekye.
The notable newcomer is Switzerland-based Bénédicte Simon, formerly of PSG, Atlético Madrid, Sassuolo, Juventus and Valencia defender whose arrival adds valuable European experience and tactical depth to the squad.
The Black Queens arrive in Southampton buoyed by a convincing 3-1 warm-up win over Aston Villa Ladies in Birmingham, with goals from Comfort Yeboah, Evelyn Badu and Princess Marfo.
The performance allowed Björkegren to rotate his squad effectively, ensuring freshness and competition across the pitch.
