Ghana’s Black Queens are being driven by a blend of continental experience, international leadership and attacking talent, with Evelyn Badu heading a list of five players currently making the biggest impact for the national team.
There is no official FIFA or CAF ranking of Ghana’s best individual female footballers. However, GhanaWeb has assessed the leading figures in the squad using their club careers, international performances, individual awards, leadership qualities and influence on the Black Queens.
Evelyn Badu
Evelyn Badu is ranked first after building a career that includes continental success, personal honours and experience in several countries.
The forward first attracted widespread attention with Hasaacas Ladies and became one of the leading players at the inaugural CAF Women’s Champions League in 2021. She finished the competition as its leading scorer with five goals and was named Player of the Tournament.
Those performances helped Badu win both the CAF Women’s Interclub Player of the Year and CAF Young Player of the Year awards in 2022.
She later played in Norway for Avaldsnes IL and in France for FC Fleury 91 before moving to Canada, where she joined Montreal Roses FC in the Northern Super League.
Badu can create opportunities, carry the ball over distance, finish chances and play in several attacking roles. Her technical ability and experience in major continental competitions have placed her at the top of the ranking.
Portia Boakye
Portia Boakye’s influence comes from her durability, leadership and extensive international experience.
The defender has played in Ghana and abroad, including spells with Swedish clubs Djurgarden and Ostersunds DFF. She later joined African powerhouse TP Mazembe.
Boakye is the captain of the Black Queens and remains one of the most important voices in the squad. Her value is not primarily reflected in goals, but in the way she organises the defence, reads the game and remains composed under pressure.
Her leadership and positional awareness have made her a central figure at the back, while her years of international football provide important guidance for younger players.
CAF included Boakye among the experienced Ghana players highlighted ahead of the country’s participation in the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations.
Grace Asantewaa
Grace Asantewaa has developed into one of Ghana’s most accomplished midfielders after gaining experience in a number of major football markets.
Her club career has included time in Spain with EDF Logrono and Real Betis, as well as a significant spell with FC Juarez in Mexico. She subsequently moved to Mexican giants Tigres UANL Femenil.
Asantewaa combines physical strength with tactical awareness and the ability to perform under pressure. She contributes at both ends of the pitch, helping Ghana win the ball, retain possession and control the rhythm of matches.
Her experience in Spain, the United States and Mexico has exposed her to different tactical approaches and added to her versatility within the national team.
CAF has also identified Asantewaa as one of the experienced players expected to have an important role for Ghana at the 2026 WAFCON.
Jennifer Cudjoe
Jennifer Cudjoe is another key member of Ghana’s current generation and has spent much of her career in the United States.
The midfielder has played for Gotham FC, previously known as Sky Blue FC, and DC Power FC. She also gained European experience during her time with FC Nordsjælland.
Cudjoe is valued for her ability to regain possession, protect the defence and move the ball quickly from defence into attack. She is the Black Queens’ deputy captain, underlining her standing within the squad.
Her senior goalscoring record is not as prominent as that of some of the other players on the list, but her work rate, ball-winning, calmness and tactical discipline make her an important asset.
Her experience in the American professional game is particularly valuable when Ghana face physically demanding opposition.
Doris Boaduwaa
Doris Boaduwaa completes the top five and represents one of Ghana’s most promising attacking players.
She came through Hasaacas Ladies before moving to Europe to play for Serbian side ZFK Spartak Subotica. Boaduwaa made an immediate impression during Spartak’s UEFA Women’s Champions League qualifying campaign, scoring three goals.
She later moved to Israel to join Hapoel Jerusalem as she continued her development.
The forward’s pace, movement, physical positioning and finishing ability make her one of the Black Queens’ most direct attacking threats. She has also become increasingly important to Ghana at international level as the team seeks to improve its attacking options.
Together, the five players give the Black Queens a balanced core. Badu offers creativity, goals and flexibility in attack, while Boaduwaa brings pace and a direct threat. Asantewaa adds power and tactical intelligence in midfield, Cudjoe contributes energy and ball recovery, and Boakye provides defensive organisation and leadership.
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