Ghana Football Association President Kurt Okraku says the Black Queens are heading into the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations without undue pressure, despite being drawn into a challenging group.
Ghana will compete in Group D alongside Cameroon, Mali and Cape Verde, with the tournament scheduled to take place in Morocco from March 17 to April 3.
The GFA President believes the team’s recent progress, highlighted by a third-place finish at the 2024 WAFCON, provides a strong foundation rather than added pressure. During that campaign, the Black Queens defeated South Africa to claim the bronze medal, marking a return to competitiveness on the continental stage.
“I think that if it’s about pressure, there’s pressure everywhere. There’s pressure in eating, pressure in laughing, pressure in having a conversation, and there’s pressure in sports,” Okraku said after the draw.
“Football is an emotive enterprise, but what’s most important is how you react, how you act, and how you handle such situations,” he added.
Beyond the quest for the continental title, the 2026 WAFCON also serves as a pathway back to the FIFA Women’s World Cup. The four semi-finalists will earn automatic qualification, something Ghana has not achieved since 2007.
Having reached the semi-finals at the last edition, the Black Queens will be aiming to build on that momentum and take another decisive step forward in Morocco.
