Black Queens Blend Experience and Fresh Talent for WAFCON 2026 Campaign

Ghana has unveiled a 25-player squad for the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), with head coach Kim Lars Bjorkegren placing his faith in a blend of experienced internationals and emerging talent as the Black Queens seek to make a strong impression in Morocco.

The final squad trims two players from the provisional list announced earlier this month, while retaining the core of the team that has featured throughout preparations. Captain Portia Boakye will lead a side that includes seasoned internationals Grace Asantewaa, Jennifer Cudjoe, Alice Kusi, Evelyn Badu, Cynthia Konlan, Chantelle Boye-Hlorkah and Princella Adubea.

Seven players will make their WAFCON debuts, reflecting the coaching staff’s commitment to injecting fresh energy into the national team. Huzeima Osman, Abena Anoma Opoku, Alexandra Tay, Benedicte Simon, Linda Owusu Ansah, Sharon Sampson and Ajegipina Zakaria have all earned places in the final selection after impressing during the team’s preparations.

Notably, every home-based player included in the provisional squad has retained a place in the final travelling party, underlining growing confidence in the quality of talent within Ghana’s domestic women’s league.

Ghana has been drawn in Group D, where the Black Queens will open their campaign against Cape Verde on July 29, before facing Cameroon on August 2 and Mali on August 6. All three group-stage fixtures will be played at the Moulay Rachid Stadium in Casablanca.

The tournament presents an opportunity for Ghana to re-establish itself among Africa’s elite women’s football nations after recent efforts to rebuild the national team under Bjorkegren’s leadership. A successful campaign would strengthen the Black Queens’ continental standing and reinforce investment in the country’s rapidly developing women’s game.