Ghana’s Black Queens head coach says the team is calm and free from pressure as they prepare for a decisive Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) Group D meeting with Mali.
The Black Queens know a victory would take them through to the quarter-finals and keep their hopes of qualifying for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup alive. Despite the importance of the match, their coach insists the players remain relaxed and focused on producing the result they need.
“We don’t have any pressure at all, not for a single second. I think for the girls, I can’t talk for them, but they look pretty relaxed,” the coach said.
Ghana began their campaign with a win over Cape Verde but were beaten 1-0 by Cameroon in their second match. That defeat delayed their opportunity to secure an early place in the knockout stage and left their qualification prospects to be decided by the final group fixture.
Marie Gisele Ngah Manga scored the only goal of the game against Cameroon from the penalty spot in the first half. Ghana tried to respond after the interval and appeared to have drawn level when Badu found the net, but the effort was ruled out for offside.
The setback has increased the significance of the Mali encounter, but the Black Queens’ coach believes the squad has dealt with the disappointment appropriately. Rather than allowing the defeat to affect their preparations, Ghana have maintained their composure ahead of the high-stakes contest.
Ghana and Mali are familiar opponents, although the Black Queens are determined to approach this meeting in a different way and secure the victory required to extend their tournament run. The match represents a major test of their ability to perform under pressure, even as their coach rejects the suggestion that expectations are weighing heavily on the squad.
Midfielder Jennifer Cudjoe has also reflected the confidence inside the Ghana camp. She acknowledged that the players understand the scale of the challenge but said they are ready to compete when the decisive fixture takes place.
The Black Queens’ progress in the tournament now rests on the outcome against Mali. A win would move Ghana into the WAFCON quarter-finals, while also preserving their hopes of reaching the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
Ghana will therefore rely on both their experience and their ability to remain composed in a match with major consequences. After a promising opening victory and a narrow loss to Cameroon, the Black Queens must now produce a decisive performance to continue their campaign and reinforce their status among Africa’s leading women’s football nations.
