Black Queens Forge Path at WAFCON: Ghana’s Weekend Highlights
In Morocco’s staging of the 2025 TotalEnergies Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (often referred to as WAFCON 2024), Ghana’s Black Queens delivered a resilient and memorable run that captured the imagination of supporters across the nation.
The tournament kicked off on July 5 and ran through July 26, 2025, featuring 12 national teams competing across multiple cities in Morocco . Ghana was placed in Group C, alongside defending champions South Africa, Mali, and Tanzania .
In their opening match on July 7 at Oujda, the Black Queens faced a stern test against South Africa. Ghana started brightly, showing early dominance through attacking spells down the wings. But South Africa seized control midway through the first half, scoring a penalty through Linda Motlhalo in the 30th minute after a foul was awarded against Grace Asantewaa, then doubling the lead just three minutes later via Jermaine Seoposenwe . Despite hitting the woodwork twice through Alice Kusi and Evelyn Badu and fashioning more chances, Ghana fell to a disciplined 2–0 defeat .
Determined to bounce back, the Black Queens squared off against Tanzania in their final group-stage match on July 14 in Berkane. Here they delivered a commanding second-half performance. Princella Adubea opened the scoring in the 12th minute, only for Tanzania to equalize before halftime. In the second half, Alice Kusi converted a penalty, followed by goals from Evelyn Badu and Chantelle Boye-Hlorkah to seal a convincing 4–1 victory . With this win, Ghana secured second place in Group C with four points just behind South Africa and clinched a spot in the quarterfinals .
The victory over Tanzania sent waves of excitement across Ghana. Fans and football legends alike flooded social media with messages celebrating the team’s spirit and attacking flair. Chantelle Boye-Hlorkah’s performance drew particular praise, with supporters hailing her as stand-out of the group stage .
On July 19, Ghana faced Algeria in a tightly contested quarterfinal in Berkane. After a stalemate through regular and extra time, the match went to penalties. The Black Queens held firm and emerged victorious 4–2 in the shootout. Goalkeeper Cynthia Komlan was the hero, saving key penalties and preserving Ghana’s clean sheet remarkably, the team reached the semis without conceding a goal in four matches, despite finding the back of the net only once in open play .
Looking ahead, the Black Queens were set to face host nation Morocco in the semifinals an intoxicating prospect for a nation yearning for female football glory on the continental stage.
Read also Excess Cheese and Colon Cancer: Why Your Favorite Snack May Be Deadly for 1 in 5 Ghanaian
Ghana began the tournament with a promising display but ultimately fell short against a well-drilled South African side. Redemption came via an emphatic win over Tanzania, powered by smart finishing and tactical composure. The pressure continued in the knockout phase, but Ghana’s resolve paid off in the quarterfinal penalty shootout against Algeria. Throughout, the team maintained defensive solidity while reigniting national hope for a deep tournament run. The next challenge the semifinal clash with Morocco promised to be a defining moment.
