Black Queens deputy captain Jennifer Cudjoe says the team is fully aware of the importance of their final Group D fixture against Mali and is determined to secure the victory needed to keep their 2026 Women's Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) campaign alive.
The Black Queens face Mali today, August 6, at the Moulay Rashid Stadium in Casablanca, Morocco, knowing that a win will send them through to the quarter-finals and strengthen their ambitions of qualifying for the 2027 FIFA Women's World Cup.
"We know that we need to win and that's what we're going for, so I don't think there's too much pressure. But we know that it's not going to be an easy game as well," Cudjoe said ahead of the match.
The midfielder acknowledged Mali's quality, recalling that the two sides have met before, but insisted Ghana will approach the encounter with a renewed mindset.
"We've played them before; they are a good team. We played them last year. We will approach it how we are approaching it, making sure we do what is right. It is not going to be the same as last year," she said.
Cudjoe added that she and her teammates are excited and ready for the challenge, urging the squad to deliver a performance that reflects their ambitions.
"I'm excited and I'm looking forward to it. I'm ready and everybody is ready. I just hope that we show up and do what we have to do," she added.
The deputy captain dismissed concerns over pressure, describing it as part of the privilege of competing at the highest level.
"Pressure is a privilege, and I think as a player, we've been in a different stage in our career. We've been in this place before, so I don't think there's a lot of pressure. But we know what we have to do and we're going to show up on Thursday and give everything we can," she said.
Cudjoe also revealed that the team's ambitions extend beyond progressing from the group stage, with qualification for the World Cup and a place in the WAFCON final among their targets.
"We want to go to the World Cup, that's my goal, and also definitely get to the final," she said.
She thanked supporters for their encouragement and called for continued trust as the Black Queens seek to make a strong statement at the tournament.
"It's always good to hear the feedback from the fans, but also we're going to show up and we're going to prove to them that hey, we're here. It's just a process. They should trust us," Cudjoe said.
The Black Queens began their campaign on a positive note, securing a 2-0 victory over tournament debutants Cape Verde before suffering a narrow 1-0 defeat to Cameroon in their second Group D fixture.
A win against Mali would guarantee Ghana a place in the WAFCON quarter-finals and keep their hopes of qualifying for the 2027 FIFA Women's World Cup on track.
With their tournament future at stake, the Black Queens will be counting on their experience, composure and tactical discipline to deliver a strong performance when they take to the pitch today.
