Black Queens head coach Kim Lars Björkegren has made Ghana’s ambitions clear ahead of their opening fixture at the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), stressing that the team’s immediate focus is to begin the tournament with a victory over Cabo Verde.
Speaking ahead of the highly anticipated clash, the Swedish tactician expressed confidence in his players and the work they have put in during their preparations, insisting the Black Queens are determined to make a positive statement from the very first whistle.
“We want to start the tournament with a win,” Björkegren said, emphasizing the importance of collecting all three points in the opening match to build momentum for the rest of the competition.
The Black Queens coach acknowledged that opening fixtures are often challenging, but believes his side has the quality, discipline, and mentality to overcome Cabo Verde and get their campaign off to the perfect start.
Björkegren revealed that the players understand what is at stake and have embraced the responsibility of representing Ghana on one of Africa’s biggest football stages. He noted that the squad has trained with great intensity and is fully focused on executing the game plan.
The Swedish trainer also reiterated his confidence in the identity of his team, promising a performance built on aggressive pressing, teamwork, passion, and relentless effort. According to him, the Black Queens are ready to fight for every ball and give everything on the pitch in pursuit of victory.
With expectations high among Ghanaian supporters, Björkegren called for continued backing from the fans, expressing hope that the team will reward their faith with a strong display and a winning start.
The Black Queens will take on Cabo Verde in their opening Group match on Wednesday at 5pm, with victory firmly in their sights as they look to launch their WAFCON 2026 campaign in the best possible fashion.
