Ghana’s Black Queens remain calm and focused ahead of their decisive Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) Group D meeting with Mali, despite having their hopes of reaching the quarter-finals delayed by defeat to Cameroon.
The Black Queens began their campaign with victory over Cape Verde but were beaten 1-0 by Cameroon in their second match. Marie Gisele Ngah Manga’s first-half penalty proved decisive, leaving Ghana needing a positive result against Mali to keep their tournament plans on track.
Ghana pushed for an equaliser after the interval and appeared to have levelled through Badu. However, the effort was ruled out for offside, allowing Cameroon to hold on for the win.
That setback has increased the importance of Ghana’s final group fixture, but the Black Queens head coach has rejected suggestions that the occasion has placed the squad under excessive pressure.
“We don’t have any pressure at all, not for a single second. I think for the girls, I can’t talk for them, but they look pretty relaxed,” the coach said.
The comments reflect the mood within the Ghana camp as the team prepares for a high-stakes encounter with a familiar opponent. Ghana and Mali have met previously, but the Black Queens are determined to take a different approach into this contest and produce the result required to extend their stay at the tournament.
The Ghana players have also conveyed confidence before the match. Midfielder Jennifer Cudjoe acknowledged the challenge facing the team, while making clear that the squad is prepared to compete for the result it needs.
Victory would take the Black Queens into the WAFCON quarter-finals and preserve their hopes of qualifying for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup. With the outcome carrying significant consequences, Ghana will rely on its composure and experience to deliver when the two sides meet.
The defeat by Cameroon ended Ghana’s opportunity to secure an early place in the last eight, after the team had made a winning start against Cape Verde. The narrow margin of the Cameroon loss, and the disallowed second-half goal, nevertheless gave the Black Queens encouragement that they could respond in their final group game.
Mali now represents the decisive test. Ghana’s players are determined to show their quality and reinforce their status among Africa’s leading women’s football nations, but only a strong performance and the required result will carry them through to the knockout stage.
For the Black Queens, the task is clear: remain composed, overcome Mali and keep both their WAFCON campaign and their ambitions of reaching the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup alive.
