Ghana’s Black Queens began their 2026 CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) campaign with a commanding 2-0 victory over Cape Verde in their Group D opener at the Moulay Rachid Stadium in Morocco.
Doris Boaduwaa struck early before a second-half own goal under pressure from Chantelle Boye-Hlorkah sealed a comfortable win for Kim Lars Bjorkegren’s side, who are chasing their first continental title.
Cape Verde made a bright start and almost stunned Ghana inside the opening minutes, but goalkeeper Cynthia Konlan reacted sharply to make an important save within the first five minutes and keep the match goalless.
Moments later, Ghana took control. In the sixth minute, Portia Boakye threaded a precise through ball into the path of Boaduwaa, who showed calmness in front of goal, lifting her finish over the advancing goalkeeper to give the Black Queens an early lead.
Ghana in control after early breakthrough
Having gone in front, Ghana dictated the pace of the first half, enjoying long spells of possession and pinning Cape Verde deep in their own territory with measured build-up play.
At the back, Susan Duah organised the defence with authority, and Boakye, influential at both ends, produced a vital clearance to prevent Cape Verde from finding a way back into the contest.
Midfielder Jennifer Cudjoe collected Ghana’s only yellow card of the game in the 20th minute, but the Black Queens remained largely untroubled as they continued to control proceedings.
Princess Marfo went close just after the half-hour mark, firing narrowly wide as Ghana pressed for a second goal to underline their dominance.
Boaduwaa nearly doubled her tally shortly before half-time. The forward created space on the edge of the penalty area and unleashed a shot that was destined for the net, only for Cape Verde goalkeeper Jacinta to pull off an excellent save. From the resulting corner, Jacinta again intervened decisively, punching clear to ensure Ghana’s advantage remained 1-0 at the interval.
Own goal doubles Ghana’s lead
Ghana extended their lead nine minutes into the second half. Boye-Hlorkah whipped in a dangerous cross from the flank, and Cape Verde defender Eleia Vieira, under intense pressure inside the box, diverted the ball into her own net to make it 2-0.
With a two-goal cushion and the outcome increasingly secure, Bjorkegren turned to his bench to manage energy levels and protect his key players ahead of the remaining group fixtures. Linda Eshun and Princella Adubea were introduced just after the hour mark, followed later by Anoma and Evelyn Badu as Ghana maintained their control of the game.
Cape Verde tried to rally in the closing stages, pushing players forward in search of a response, but Konlan remained composed and dealt comfortably with the limited efforts directed at her goal.
Boye-Hlorkah almost capped her influential display with a late third for Ghana, bending a shot narrowly wide as the Black Queens continued to threaten on the counter-attack.
The final whistle confirmed a deserved opening win for Ghana, who dominated from start to finish and secured three important points to set the tone for their WAFCON 2026 campaign.
