The Ghana Black Queens have reached a defining moment at the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) as they prepare to take on Tanzania in their final Group C clash today at the Stade Municipal de Berkane in Morocco.
It is a match that holds the fate of both teams in delicate balance—a win guarantees a spot in the quarter-finals, while anything less could mean an early flight home.
After losing their opening match 2-0 to defending champions South Africa and drawing 1-1 against Mali in their second game last Friday, the Queens find themselves in an uncomfortable position, needing nothing short of victory to progress.
Make-or-break affair
The stakes are high, the pressure is immense, and the memory of Ghana’s first-round exit when they hosted the tournament in 2018 still lingers heavily in the background.
Once rated among the powerhouses of African women's football, Ghana’s performance in recent years has dipped significantly, raising concerns about the development of the women's game domestically.
The Black Queens were finalists in 1998, 2002, and 2006, but have since struggled to replicate that form, and today’s match offers them a rare chance to begin writing a new chapter in their history.
Ghana’s Head Coach Kim Lars Bjorkegren is no stranger to pressure, and he faces arguably his biggest test since taking over the national team. In a pre-match press conference yesterday, the Swedish gaffer was honest about the team’s underwhelming start but insisted qualification remains within reach.
“We were a bit disappointed with just one point—we thought we deserved more. But at the end of the day, the most important thing was to at least get a point. Now we have everything in our own hands, and we must make sure we win the game,” he stated.
Bjorkegren has hinted at tactical tweaks ahead of the crunch tie. He emphasised that while many of his players are experienced campaigners, others are facing the pressure of continental competition for the first time, which naturally affects their composure.
“With the players, I think it’s a little bit different. Some of them have experienced the big games, some haven’t, and for those players it’s okay to feel a little bit nervous. It’s part of life and part of football as well,” he said.
Standing in Ghana’s way is a determined Tanzanian side, who, like the Black Queens, have secured just one point from two games but have shown signs of resilience and hunger. The Twiga Stars played a spirited game against South Africa, to draw 1-1.
Mali confident
Mali’s coach Bakari Shime, believes his side has what it takes to upset Ghana and claim a spot in the quarter-finals.
“This is a crucial match—not just for us but for all Tanzanians. We need a win to increase our chances of reaching the knockout stage. We performed well in our last game against South Africa, even though we conceded due to minor errors. We have worked on correcting those and are confident heading into this game,” he said.
Shime’s side is expected to adopt a compact and disciplined approach, looking to frustrate the Ghanaians and capitalise on counterattacks. Their physicality and growing tactical maturity have made them a side that can no longer be overlooked.
For Ghana to prevail, key players must step up and lead from the front. All eyes will be on forward Doris Boaduwaa, who despite a quiet tournament so far, remains one of the team’s most potent attacking threats.
Experienced striker Princella Adubea is expected to bring her leadership and scoring instincts to bear, while midfield maestro Grace Asantewaa must control the tempo and link play effectively.
Young talents like Stella Nyamekye and veteran Evelyn Badu will also be pivotal. Badu, in particular, has the ability to influence games from midfield with her dynamism and eye for goal. Chantelle Boye-Hlorkah and Sharifatu Sumaila are also expected to provide width and creativity from the flanks.
