Bjorkegren Praises Ghana’s Remarkable Performance in WAFCON
In a significant match during the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), the head coach of the Ghana Women’s National Team, Kim Lars Bjorkegren, lauded his players for their impressive 1-1 draw against Mali, which he termed their finest display in the tournament thus far. This draw allowed Ghana to secure second place in Group C, trailing only to the already-qualified Cameroon with a total of four points.
The match, held at the Moulay Rachid Stadium in Casablanca, witnessed Evelyn Badu score a stoppage-time header in the first half, only for Mali’s Kadidiatou Diabate to equalize with an early free-kick in the second half. Despite the tense ending, Bjorkegren expressed his satisfaction with the performance his team delivered throughout the game.
“To reach the playoffs was one of our three objectives this summer with the Black Queens. I believe this game showcased our best performance. My only regret is that we allowed ourselves to become a bit nervous towards the end—we should have secured this match long before that,” Bjorkegren commented, reflecting on the match.
Indeed, the statistics supported his claims. Ghana dominated the match with nine shots on target compared to Mali’s three and commanded 66.9% possession. Additionally, the expected goals (xG) metric showed Ghana producing a substantial 3.3, while Mali managed only 0.6.
“In a typical scenario, this is a game you would win by a score of 3-0. However, we let our nerves get the better of us in the closing moments. Overall though, I think we executed some excellent football,” he added, acknowledging the strong first-half performance, which he described as the team’s best of the tournament.
Ghana’s progression to the quarter-finals now comes with increased stakes. They are poised just one game away from securing automatic qualification for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil, a prestigious event that the team hasn’t reached since 2007. Their next opponent will be Malawi, a team Badu is keenly aware plays a different game in competitive settings despite a recent friendly victory.
“Yes, we achieved a comfortable 4-0 win over Malawi in a friendly match, but football can be unpredictable. We are treating this game distinctly, ready to approach it with a fresh mindset. Winning is our primary goal,” Badu stated confidently.
She also emphasized the importance of continuing to receive support from their fans back home in Ghana, expressing gratitude for the opportunity to represent the nation as they advance. “I’m really grateful to be here for the team and for our country. We appreciate all the support and prayers we receive, and we are dedicated to delivering strong performances,” she conveyed with pride.
As the Black Queens head towards their quarter-final match against Malawi at the Al Medina Stadium in Rabat on Sunday, they are just 90 minutes away from potentially returning to the World Cup stage.
Overview of WAFCON 2026
The 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations is currently taking place from July 26th to August 16th in Morocco, featuring the continent’s top 16 women’s football teams competing in a group stage followed by knockout rounds commencing on August 8th. This tournament signifies a vital platform for women’s football in Africa, showcasing emerging talents and national pride across the continent.
