In the ever-evolving landscape of African women’s football, Ghana’s Black Queens stand out as a beacon of resilience and renewal. Their recent transformation from the disciplined foundations laid by Nora Hauptle to the attacking evolution under Kim Lars Björkegren marks a new golden chapter.
Now, as they prepare for a historic international friendly against England’s Lionesses in December 2025, the Black Queens are no longer rebuilding. They’re rising with purpose, precision, and pride.
Nora Hauptle: Building Ghana’s New Foundation
When Nora Hauptle took charge in January 2023, Ghana’s women’s national team was eager for revival. The Swiss tactician brought with her a European blueprint of tactical organization and defensive solidity—traits that instantly reshaped the Black Queens.
Under Hauptle, Ghana went nine matches unbeaten, scoring 31 goals without conceding once, a feat unmatched in recent team history. Her disciplined system turned players like Evelyn Badu and Abiba Seidu into defensive anchors while sharpening the team’s transition play.
Her reign delivered tangible milestones:
- Qualification for the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) — Ghana’s first since 2018.
- Victory at the 2023 WAFU Zone B Women’s Cup, restoring national pride.
Even after a narrow Olympic qualifying loss to Zambia, Hauptle left behind more than a record — she left a blueprint. When her contract expired in December 2024, she passed the torch to a squad redefined by structure and self-belief.
Kim Lars Björkegren: A New Era of Attacking Football
Appointed in January 2025, Swedish coach Kim Lars Björkegren came in with one mission — to take Ghana from continental respect to continental dominance. With his European pedigree and attacking philosophy, Björkegren has built upon Hauptle’s foundation while introducing a more dynamic, possession-driven style.
“We want to go as far as possible in WAFCON,” Björkegren stated confidently at his unveiling and he delivered.
At the 2024 WAFCON (played in July 2025), the Black Queens earned a bronze medal, their best finish since 2016. Their run featured thrilling football, tactical flexibility, and emotional resilience. Ghana edged South Africa on penalties in the third-place playoff after a narrow semifinal loss to hosts Morocco a testament to Björkegren’s evolving system.
Since then, the team has maintained strong form in the 2026 WAFCON qualifiers, including a vital first-leg win over Egypt. The coach’s impact has not gone unnoticed he’s been nominated for the 2025 CAF Women’s Coach of the Year, while the Black Queens themselves earned a Women’s National Team of the Year nomination.
Björkegren’s philosophy is clear: blend European structure with Ghanaian spirit. “Everything is on the right course,” says star forward Doris Boaduwaa, praising the team’s renewed energy and tactical sharpness.
The England Friendly: A Global Stage for Ghana
All eyes now turn to December 2, 2025, when Ghana will face England’s Lionesses at St. Mary’s Stadium, Southampton the first-ever senior meeting between the two nations.
For the Black Queens, it’s more than a friendly. It’s a global showcase of Ghana’s progress, a chance to test themselves against European champions and benchmark their growth ahead of the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup qualifiers.
Speaking at the Accra press conference, GFA Deputy General Secretary Ama Brobey Williams called the fixture “a defining moment for Ghanaian women’s football a mirror reflecting how far we’ve come.”
The match also strengthens UK-Ghana sports ties, with British High Commissioner Keith McMahon describing it as “a celebration of women’s empowerment through football.” For players like Sherifatu Sumaila and Portia Boakye, it’s a dream platform to showcase Ghanaian talent on the world stage.
Continuity, Courage, and the Road Ahead
From Hauptle’s defensive revolution to Björkegren’s attacking evolution, the Black Queens’ trajectory reflects continuity with courage. What began as a rebuild has become a rise — one powered by tactical intelligence, federation backing, and unwavering belief.
Ghana’s women’s football is no longer in transition. It’s in ascent.
The 2025 Lionesses friendly will only affirm what’s already clear:
The Black Queens are back stronger, smarter, and ready to reign.
