Kim Lars Björkegren
Black Queens head coach, Kim Lars Björkegren, has delivered his first assessment of Ghana’s group for the upcoming Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Morocco, admitting the challenge ahead while expressing strong belief in his team’s potential.
Speaking after the group stage draw, the Swedish tactician described Ghana’s group as a demanding one, stressing that no opponent should be underestimated.
“It’s definitely going to be a tough group,” Björkegren said, acknowledging the high level of competition Ghana will face in Morocco.
He singled out Cameroon as one of the teams that caught his attention, praising the quality and depth of their squad after recently watching them in action.
“I watched Cameroon the other day and I was a bit surprised by how strong they are. It’s an amazing squad,” he noted, underlining the threat posed by the Central Africans.
Björkegren also pointed to Mali as familiar adversaries, recalling their previous encounter at the Women’s World Cup and reiterating his respect for their abilities.
“We played Mali at the last Women’s World Cup, so we know they are a very good team,” he said.
The Black Queens coach further warned about the danger of debutants and less-fancied sides, noting that new teams often bring unpredictability to major tournaments.
With Ghana’s opponents now confirmed, Björkegren says attention has fully shifted to preparation, as the technical team begins detailed planning for the competition.
“Now that we know the teams, we can start preparing properly and give ourselves the best possible chance to get a good result,” he explained.
The ambition within camp is clear and bold. Björkegren revealed that Ghana’s primary objective is to reach the semi-finals, a milestone that would also secure qualification for the next FIFA Women’s World Cup.
“Our clear target is to make the top four and qualify for the World Cup. That is very important for us. If we achieve that, then we will push for the gold,” he said.
Despite the high expectations, the coach insists the team will take a gradual, step-by-step approach, building on what he described as steady progress over recent months.
“We’ve shown that we are moving in the right direction all the time. If we continue like that, we have the potential to go all the way,” Björkegren added.
However, he ended with a note of realism, reminding that Ghana is not the only contenders for the title.
“There are probably six, seven or eight teams that can win the tournament. We are not alone in this. We will do everything we can, and hopefully it will be enough,” he concluded.
Ghana will head into WAFCON in Morocco aiming to re-establish themselves among Africa’s elite and mount a serious challenge for continental glory.
By Wletsu Ransford