The Black Queens of Ghana have secured a spot in the quarter-finals of the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) after an impressive 4-1 victory over Tanzania on Monday evening.
In their final Group C fixture played at the Stade Municipal de Berkane, Ghana delivered a commanding performance to seal qualification to the knockout stage.
Head coach Kim Bjorkegren, who was under pressure following back-to-back winless matches against South Africa and Mali, made three crucial changes to his starting lineup. He introduced Josephine Bonsu, Princess Marfo, and Princella Adubea, replacing Doris Boaduwaa, Evelyn Badu, and Anastasia Achiaa.
The Black Queens started the match with great intensity, launching early attacks and nearly finding the opener through Chantelle Boye-Hlorkah, whose strike narrowly missed the target.
Their persistence paid off in the 12th minute when a failed clearance by the Tanzanian goalkeeper fell to Princella Adubea, who slotted home to give Ghana a deserved lead.
However, Tanzania responded just before halftime. Stumai Athumani pounced on a defensive lapse to bring her side level in the 40th minute, making it 1-1 heading into the break.
Ghana returned for the second half with renewed energy and purpose. The pressure finally paid off in the 63rd minute when Princess Marfo was brought down in the penalty area. Veteran attacker Alice Kusi stepped up confidently and converted the penalty to restore Ghana’s lead.
Coach Bjorkegren later introduced Stella Nyamekye and Evelyn Badu in the closing stages, a move that proved decisive. In the 88th minute, Nyamekye delivered a superb free-kick that found Badu, who calmly slotted in Ghana’s third goal.
Just two minutes later, Chantelle Boye-Hlorkah made no mistake when she received a pass from Nyamekye, wrapping up the game with Ghana’s fourth goal and sealing a convincing 4-1 triumph.
The result sees Ghana finish second in Group C with four points. South Africa topped the group with seven points after a 4-0 win over Mali, who also qualified as one of the best third-placed teams with four points.
The Black Queens will now face Algeria in the quarter-final clash on Saturday, July 19, 2025.
