Ghana’s Black Queens may have missed out on a place in the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) final, but head coach Kim Lars Björkegren says he couldn’t be prouder of his team’s performance and fighting spirit.
The Queens suffered a narrow 4-2 defeat to host nation Morocco in a penalty shootout after a 1-1 draw over 120 minutes in Tuesday night’s emotionally charged semi-final in Rabat.
Ghana took the lead in the first half through a composed finish by Stella Nyamekye, but Morocco levelled the score after the break. With both sides unable to find a winner in extra time, the match was decided on penalties, and it was the Lionesses of Morocco who held their nerve.
“I think we have a team that works so hard,” Björkegren said after the game. “Of course, when they had fresh legs in the first half, it was easier. We were completely dominating the game. In my opinion, we were better.”
Reflecting on the toll of back-to-back high-stakes matches, he added: “In the end, we were just fighting to stay in the game. But what can you expect when you had a game so close to this one? Yeah, I’m really proud of what the team gave.”
The defeat ends Ghana’s hopes of reaching their first WAFCON final since 2006, but the Black Queens still have a shot at a podium finish. They will face defending champions South Africa in the third-place playoff, determined to close out what has been an impressive and rejuvenating tournament run on a high.
Despite the heartbreak, Björkegren and his squad have reignited belief in Ghanaian women’s football, with fans and pundits alike praising the team’s progress, passion, and potential.
