Ahead of the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), Ghana Football Association (GFA) President Kurt Okraku has reiterated that the Black Queens will enter the tournament without unnecessary pressure, despite being drawn into a challenging group.
The tournament, set to take place in Morocco from March 17 to April 3, will see Ghana face off against Cameroon, Mali, and Cape Verde in Group D. Okraku, speaking to reporters after the draw, emphasized the importance of managing expectations and staying focused on the task at hand.
“There’s pressure everywhere—whether it’s eating, laughing, or even having a conversation. In football, there’s always pressure. What matters is how you react to it, how you handle the challenges, and what you do when you’re faced with tough situations,” Okraku said, aiming to reassure fans and players alike.
The Black Queens are buoyed by their performance at the 2024 WAFCON, where they finished third after defeating South Africa in the third-place play-off. The bronze medal finish in Morocco marked a strong return for Ghana on the continental stage, and the team will be looking to build on this momentum as they aim to go even further in 2026.
For Ghana, the 2026 WAFCON represents not only an opportunity to claim continental glory but also a pathway to the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup. The top four teams from the tournament will earn automatic qualification for the global competition, a feat Ghana has not achieved since their last World Cup appearance in 2007. The Black Queens will be determined to take that extra step and secure their spot in the semi-finals.
