Ghana midfielder Evelyn Badu says the Black Queens have put their previous results aside and are fully focused on Sunday’s crucial 2026 WAFCON match against Cameroon as they pursue a place at the World Cup.
Ghana began their campaign with a 2-0 victory over Cape Verde, but Badu says the squad is concentrating solely on the next challenge and understands the importance of securing another positive result.
The Cameroon fixture could have a significant impact on Ghana’s route to the knockout stage, with the Black Queens aiming to put themselves in a strong position to reach the quarterfinals.
“To me, we have great players individually, and everyone in the team is just ready. We’re focused on tomorrow’s game against Cameroon. What happened before is already in the past the present is tomorrow. So, we’re just taking it one game at a time. We’re not looking at what’s already happened. Our goal is to put ourselves in a good position to reach the quarterfinals. We’re just ready. Nothing else. It’s really important for us, for the players, and for everyone to deliver for the nation and for ourselves as well.”
Badu, who previously represented Ghana at Under-20 level before progressing to the senior side, described playing for the national team as a privilege.
She also said the opportunity to feature for the Black Queens at the World Cup is one that she and her team-mates are determined to embrace, with the squad hoping to take advantage of their chance to secure qualification.
“It’s always a pleasure to play for the national team, especially the senior women’s national team. I had my chance with the U-20s, and now I’m with the senior team at the World Cup. We’re just embracing the moment and taking the opportunities, because we know this is our time to get to the World Cup.”
Ghana’s success against Cape Verde gave them a positive start to the tournament, but Badu insists the team is approaching the competition one match at a time.
She said the players are prepared to commit fully against Cameroon, while stressing that her priority is to help the team achieve its collective ambition rather than pursue personal recognition.
“Individually and as a group, we’re just ready and focused on taking it game by game. It all started when we played Cape Verde last week, and tomorrow against Cameroon, we’re going all out to do what we can to get the win and put ourselves in a good position to reach the semi-finals. I’m here to represent the country and the team not for individual honour or glory, but to achieve why we’re here, which is the World Cup. I’m here to support my teammates and the team so we can reach that goal.”
The Black Queens will now turn their attention to Sunday’s meeting with Cameroon, knowing that the result will help shape their prospects of progressing beyond the group stage and moving closer to their World Cup objective.
