Kim Lars Björkegren
Black Queens head coach Kim Lars Björkegren has described Ghana’s 2-1 quarterfinal defeat to Malawi at the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) as the most painful moment of his 20-year coaching career.
Ghana’s hopes of securing an automatic place at the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup were dealt a major blow after Malawi came from behind to eliminate the Black Queens in a dramatic quarterfinal encounter.
Björkegren admitted he was devastated by the result, particularly because of his desire to help Ghana end its 20-year wait for a place at the Women’s World Cup.
“Maybe potentially the worst feeling I had in 20 years of coaching. I’m feeling so much for this team, for Ghana. I really wanted to help them to go to the first World Cup in 20 years,” he said.
The Black Queens made an impressive start when Chantelle Boye-Hlorkah put Ghana ahead in the seventh minute. However, Malawi responded through Temwa Chawinga before Rose Smith Kadzere completed the comeback with the decisive goal in the 79th minute.
Björkegren believed Ghana lost control of the match after their strong opening, with excessive reliance on long balls allowing Malawi to grow into the game.
“We started the game pretty well. We were holding the ball in the team, creating some chances and scored a goal,” he explained.
“But we started to kick the ball a little bit too long towards the end of the first half. Both teams were stretched and it became more like a ping-pong game, which was good for the opponent.”
The Swedish coach also pointed to fatigue as another factor, noting that Ghana had fewer recovery days and had to travel before the quarterfinal.
He specifically highlighted midfielder Alice Kusi, who he felt struggled to maintain her early intensity because of the demanding schedule.
Despite the setback, Ghana’s World Cup hopes are not over. The Black Queens will have another opportunity to qualify through the playoffs, where they are scheduled to face Ivory Coast on Thursday.
The playoff now represents Ghana’s final route to ending its long wait for a return to the FIFA Women’s World Cup.
BY Wletsu Ransford