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African Queens Conquer: WAFCON 2026 Spots Secured as Teams Dominate!

Published 3 days ago3 minute read
Pelumi Ilesanmi
Pelumi Ilesanmi
African Queens Conquer: WAFCON 2026 Spots Secured as Teams Dominate!

The Black Queens of Ghana have successfully secured their place in the 2026 Women's Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Morocco, marking their second consecutive appearance at the prestigious continental tournament. Their qualification came after a dominant 7-0 aggregate victory over Egypt in the final round of qualifiers, a performance that underscored the team's growing strength and ambition.

The qualification campaign saw Ghana deliver impressive results in both legs against the Egyptian "Cleopatras." The Black Queens first established a commanding 3-0 lead in the away leg played in Ismailia. They then returned home to the Accra Sports Stadium for the decisive return fixture, where they put on a spectacular display, securing a 4-0 win. This home victory was highlighted by a stunning hat-trick from Doris Boaduwaa, who delivered one of her best performances for the national team. Her goals came rapidly in the second half, with strikes in the 52nd and 55th minutes, capitalizing on a goalkeeping error and a low cross from Princess Marfo, respectively. Comfort Yeboah also contributed significantly, scoring her maiden national team goal to further extend Ghana's lead. Despite earlier concerns regarding unpaid bonuses, the team demonstrated remarkable resolve and skill, thrilling Ghanaian fans with their commanding performance.

Head coach Kim Lars Bjorkegren expressed optimism about the squad's future, believing there is "a lot in store" for the team. The Swede acknowledged the rich pool of talent available in Ghana, not only within the current squad but also from the Princesses (the junior national team) and players in the Women’s Premier League. He emphasized the ongoing process of building and improving the team, stating, "We can be better in all different ways; we are not finished yet, we will keep building." Bjorkegren lauded the current group for their excellent work and continuous improvement, evident in their performance at the previous WAFCON and the recent qualifiers against Egypt. The Black Queens had finished third at the last WAFCON, defeating South Africa on penalties to claim bronze, and are now aiming to surpass that achievement in Morocco next year, with an eye on securing qualification for the 2027 World Cup.

Ghana joins a strong field of twelve nations that have booked their tickets to the CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, Morocco 2026. Hosts Morocco, who were runners-up in the last two editions, will be looking to leverage home support to finally lift the trophy. Ten-time champions Nigeria remain a formidable force, targeting an eleventh title to reaffirm their long-standing dominance. Ghana, with their clear ambition, alongside Zambia and South Africa, are considered strong contenders, indicating a highly competitive tournament where fine margins will be crucial.

The 2026 edition of the WAFCON is also set to showcase the evolving landscape of African women's football, featuring new faces and returning teams. Cape Verde and Malawi are preparing for their historic first-ever finals appearances, a testament to the rapid growth of the women's game in their nations. Kenya and Burkina Faso are making a return after spells away, eager to prove their renewed presence. Additionally, rising teams like Senegal, Algeria, and Tanzania qualified with authority, extending their upward trajectories seen in recent seasons, highlighting the increasing parity and quality across the continent.

Beyond the race for the continental crown, the 2026 Women’s AFCON carries immense significance as a crucial qualifier for the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2027™ in Brazil. The four semi-finalists will earn direct tickets to the global finals, while two additional nations will advance to intercontinental play-offs. This adds an extra layer of intensity to every match, point, and goal, as teams vie for both continental glory and a coveted spot on the world stage. The Black Queens, having secured their WAFCON berth, are now focused on excelling in Morocco to achieve their World Cup aspirations.

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