Ghana’s Black Queens are on a mission to redeem their Women’s African Cup of Nations (WAFCON) image, and this afternoon, they will have to get the job done against Mali, or it will be a failed mission.
With their dreams hanging by a thread, Ghana’s senior women’s team must rise from the ashes of their opening defeat and deliver a statement win against the Malians this afternoon in Berkane.
Anything less than victory against their West African rivals, and their mission in Morocco could come crashing to a premature end.
Beaten 2-0 by defending champions South Africa on the opening day, Coach Kim Björkegren’s side now faces a daunting test against a confident Malian outfit who kicked off their campaign with a gritty 1-0 win over Tanzania.
The permutations are simple: Mali need just a point to all but guarantee progression, but the Queens need all three to stay alive.
Crucial encounter
This is more than just another group-stage game. The last time Ghana met Mali at WAFCON—in 2018 on home soil—the Queens were left stunned by a 3-1 defeat that cost them a place in the knockout rounds.
Now, with that painful memory still fresh for some in the squad, revenge and redemption are on the menu.
Coach Björkegren insists his side is ready to rise to the occasion and that there is no room for error.
“Mali may only need a point to qualify, but our mentality is to win every game, whether it’s the group stage or the final. We’ve studied Mali closely, but we believe in our style and ability,” the Swedish tactician declared with steely resolve.
Indeed, there were moments of promise in the loss to South Africa—moments that suggested this team has the quality to turn things around.
The Queens registered five shots on target (one more than Banyana Banyana), had 45 per cent possession, and won four corners to their opponents’ one. Ruthlessness in front of goal—something the Ghana coach insists must change.
The evergreen duo of Evelyn Badu and veteran Alice Kusi hit the crossbar against the Banyana Banyana, but today they have to be more clinical in attack against a well-drilled and disciplined Mali side for Ghana to pick up their first points in the tournament.
At the other end, the Ghanaian defence must tighten up and show better organisation to avoid the kind of lapses that proved costly in their opener.
Midfield dynamo and assistant captain, Jennifer Cudjoe, echoed her coach’s fighting spirit and believes the lessons from the South Africa loss have sunk in.
“It’s not going to be an easy game, but we’ve prepared well and we’re progressing. We take lessons from the South Africa game and aim to show something better. We’ll fight like it’s our last game,” she declared yesterday with fire in her eyes.
