Black Queens head coach Kim Lars Björkegren has acknowledged the difficulty of Ghana’s assignment following the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) draw, describing Group D as a demanding challenge.
Ghana have been drawn alongside Cameroon, Cape Verde, and Mali, setting up what promises to be a highly competitive group.
Speaking to the Ghana Football Association, Björkegren emphasized that the Black Queens will need to perform at their best to advance.
“It’s going to be a tough group for sure,” the Swedish coach said.
He singled out Cameroon for praise, noting the strength of their squad.
“I watched the Cameroon squad recently and was impressed… I even discovered a player I didn’t realize was Cameroonian. It’s an amazing team,” he added.
Björkegren also highlighted Mali as a familiar and formidable opponent, recalling previous encounters on the global stage.
“We played Mali in the last Women’s World Cup, so we know they are a good team,” he said.
The Black Queens will make their second consecutive WAFCON appearance, having returned to the continental stage last year after missing out since 2018. Under Björkegren’s guidance, Ghana secured a bronze medal in the previous edition.
According to tournament rules, the top two teams from each group advance automatically to the quarterfinals. Beyond continental success, Ghana aims to return to the FIFA Women’s World Cup for the first time in 19 years, with a semifinal finish at WAFCON enough to secure qualification.
The 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations is scheduled from March 17 to April 3.
