Ghana deputy captain Jennifer Cudjoe says the Black Queens know they must beat Mali in their final Group D match to keep their 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations campaign alive.
The two sides meet today, 6 August, at the Moulay Rashid Stadium in Casablanca, Morocco, with victory guaranteeing Ghana a place in the quarter-finals. A win would also maintain their hopes of qualifying for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
Cudjoe, who plays in midfield, said Ghana’s players understood the importance of the fixture but were not allowing the situation to overwhelm them.
“We know that we need to win and that’s what we’re going for, so I don’t think there’s too much pressure. But we know that it’s not going to be an easy game as well,” she said ahead of the match.
Mali are familiar opponents for the Black Queens, having faced Ghana last year. Cudjoe said her side respected their opponents’ ability but would not allow the previous meeting to shape their approach to this match.
“We’ve played them before; they are a good team. We played them last year. We will approach it how we are approaching it, making sure we do what is right. It is not going to be the same as last year,” she said.
The deputy captain added that the squad was eager to take on the challenge and called on the players to produce a performance that matched their ambitions at the tournament.
“I’m excited and I’m looking forward to it. I’m ready and everybody is ready. I just hope that we show up and do what we have to do,” she said.
Cudjoe also rejected the idea that the pressure of the decisive fixture would hinder Ghana, arguing that such demands were part of competing at the highest level.
“Pressure is a privilege, and I think as a player, we’ve been in a different stage in our career. We’ve been in this place before, so I don’t think there’s a lot of pressure. But we know what we have to do and we’re going to show up on Thursday and give everything we can,” she said.
Ghana’s targets extend beyond simply reaching the knockout stage. Cudjoe said the Black Queens were aiming to secure a place at the World Cup and go all the way to the WAFCON final.
“We want to go to the World Cup, that’s my goal, and also definitely get to the final,” she said.
She also thanked supporters for their backing and asked them to remain patient and confident in the team as the tournament progresses.
“It’s always good to hear the feedback from the fans, but also we’re going to show up and we’re going to prove to them that hey, we’re here. It’s just a process. They should trust us,” Cudjoe said.
The Black Queens opened their Group D campaign with a 2-0 victory against tournament debutants Cape Verde. They then suffered a narrow 1-0 defeat by Cameroon in their second match.
That result leaves the Mali fixture as a crucial test for Ghana. Victory would send the Black Queens into the WAFCON quarter-finals and keep their bid to qualify for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup on course.
With their progress in the competition at stake, Ghana will look to combine the experience of their squad with composure and tactical discipline when they face Mali at the Moulay Rashid Stadium.
