Black Queens head coach Kim Lars Björkegren has acknowledged that Ghana faces a stern challenge ahead of Tuesday’s international friendly against the Lionesses of England.
The African side will take on the European champions at St. Mary’s Stadium, with kick-off scheduled for 19:00 GMT.
Speaking to the Ghana Football Association’s official website, Björkegren admitted his team is stepping into a highly demanding environment but expressed confidence in the Queens’ ability to compete at the highest level.
“We’re jumping into deep water to see if we can swim against the best team in the world. It’s going to be very tough, and we have to understand that. But we also know we have quality in this group,” he said.
The Swedish tactician noted that while Ghana may not yet rank among the top five teams globally, matches of this calibre are essential for measuring growth and setting higher standards.
“Games like this are probably among the most difficult in world football right now. Playing away against England, they will challenge us in every area. But it’s also an opportunity for us to see how good we really are and what we must improve on to climb the FIFA rankings and remain among the best in Africa,” Björkegren added.
The Black Queens go into the clash with confidence after recording a morale-boosting victory over Aston Villa Women in their preparatory build-up.
Tuesday’s encounter forms part of Ghana’s long-term preparations for the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), as the team continues to strengthen its competitiveness on the global stage.
