Ghana midfielder Jennifer Cudjoe has urged supporters to keep faith with the Black Queens as they attempt to recover from their defeat by Cameroon and reach the knockout stage of the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON).
Ghana’s hopes of securing early qualification for the quarter-finals were delayed by a 1-0 loss to the Indomitable Lionesses on Sunday. Marie Gisele Ngah Manga scored the only goal from the penalty spot in the first half, giving Cameroon a crucial victory.
The Black Queens pushed for an equaliser after the break and appeared to have drawn level when Badu found the net. However, the effort was ruled out for offside, leaving Ghana without a point from the match.
Cudjoe said the result had not affected the squad’s belief or ambition. The midfielder is confident Ghana have the ability and mentality required to respond in their final group match and keep their tournament hopes alive.
“We want to be the best. We want to get to the World Cup and also get to the final. It is always good to hear the feedback from the fans. We are going to show up and prove to them that we are here and they should trust us,” Cudjoe said.
Ghana began their WAFCON campaign with a victory over Cape Verde, but the defeat by Cameroon has left their route into the next round uncertain.
They must now beat Mali on 6 August to guarantee a place in the quarter-finals. Victory would not only secure their progress in the competition, but also strengthen their bid to qualify for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
The Black Queens will be under pressure to produce a result against Mali, with their continental campaign and wider World Cup ambitions at stake. Cudjoe, however, believes the squad’s talent, determination and fighting spirit can help it overcome the setback.
She also highlighted the importance of the relationship between the team and its supporters, saying the players were determined to respond positively to the feedback they had received from fans.
Ghana’s players now have little margin for error. After the disappointment against Cameroon, they must convert their effort into a winning performance against Mali if they are to continue their pursuit of continental success.
Cudjoe remains convinced that unity, hard work and public support can help the Black Queens rise to the challenge. The midfielder’s message is that Ghana’s ambitions remain unchanged: to compete for the WAFCON title, reach the final and secure qualification for the World Cup.
The match against Mali will therefore decide whether the Black Queens advance to the knockout stage or see their hopes of further progress come to an end.
