Five members of Ghana’s 2018 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations squad have been recalled for the 2026 tournament, underlining the Black Queens’ reliance on a core of experienced players as they seek a major breakthrough on the continental stage.
Captain Portia Boakye, Grace Asantewaa, Jennifer Cudjoe, Alice Kusi and Princella Adubea have all kept their places in the national team for the finals in Morocco, eight years after they last lined up together at the competition.
The quintet, who were part of the side that hosted the 2018 edition on home soil, now return as senior figures in head coach Kim Lars Bjorkegren’s group, tasked with guiding a new generation of Black Queens players.
Ghana have been drawn in Group D alongside Cape Verde, Cameroon and Mali for the TotalEnergies Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, which also serves as a showcase for some of the continent’s leading talent.
Senior core trusted to lead again
Boakye continues to marshal the back line as captain, providing leadership and defensive stability for a side looking to shake off years of underachievement at major tournaments.
In midfield, Asantewaa and Cudjoe are expected to be central to Bjorkegren’s tactical approach, offering control, passing range and experience in high-pressure matches.
Kusi and Adubea, meanwhile, are set to shoulder much of the creative and attacking responsibility as Ghana look to pose a greater goal threat against some of Africa’s strongest women’s teams.
Their continued presence in the set-up is seen as a reward for consistency and durability at the top level of African women’s football, with all five having maintained high performance standards over a prolonged period.
Morocco challenge and Group D test
The 2026 tournament in Morocco presents a fresh opportunity for the Black Queens to reassert themselves in the women’s game on the continent, after falling short of expectations in recent editions.
Group D offers a blend of familiar and emerging opposition. Cameroon remain one of the established powers in African women’s football, known for their physicality and experience at World Cup and WAFCON level.
Mali have grown into awkward opponents in recent years, capable of unsettling more favoured sides, while Cape Verde represent a developing force seeking to make an impact on the big stage.
Ghana will need to navigate all three group fixtures successfully to meet growing expectations back home, where there is renewed optimism following signs of progress under the current technical team.
Experience and youth in key balance
Bjorkegren’s selection reflects a deliberate attempt to strike a balance between seasoned internationals and promising younger players, with the coach looking to blend know-how and energy throughout his squad.
The presence of veterans from the 2018 campaign is expected to provide crucial guidance in the dressing room, especially for less experienced teammates making their first appearance at a major continental finals.
Team officials believe that the mix of continuity and fresh talent can give Ghana a realistic chance of advancing deep into the knockout stages, provided the side starts strongly and maintains consistency through the group phase.
The Black Queens are continuing their preparations ahead of their opening match in Morocco, with tactical drills and conditioning work designed to sharpen both the old guard and the new faces before they embark on another shot at WAFCON glory.
