Black Queens Set to Face Nigeria Following 1-0 Friendly Victory Over Côte d'Ivoire in WAFCON 2026 Preparations

Ghana's Black Queens are intensifying their preparations for the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) following a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Côte d'Ivoire. The win, secured during a friendly encounter at the Stade Père Jégo in Casablanca, Morocco, serves as a significant morale booster for the team as they aim for continental glory and a spot on the global stage. Attacker Sharon Sampson proved to be the hero of the day, netting a late strike to separate the two West African sides in a closely contested match.

Building on this momentum, the Black Queens are set to face their perennial rivals, the Super Falcons of Nigeria, in their final high-profile friendly before the tournament begins. This upcoming clash against Nigeria is expected to provide a stern test for the Ghanaian side, offering the technical staff a final opportunity to fine-tune tactics and assess squad depth. Facing the record WAFCON champions is a strategic move designed to simulate the high-pressure environment the team will encounter during the main event in Rabat.

The 2026 WAFCON is scheduled to kick off on July 26, with the final match taking place on August 16 in Rabat, Morocco. Ghana has been drawn into a challenging Group D, where they will navigate matches against Cape Verde, Cameroon, and Mali. Beyond the quest for the African title, the stakes are exceptionally high as the tournament serves as the primary qualification route for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil. For the Black Queens, these preparatory matches represent a crucial phase in their journey to reclaim their status as one of Africa's premier women's football powerhouses.