Josephine Bonsu magic keeps Ghana’s World Cup dream alive
When push comes to shove, teams need their best players to step up to the occasion.
And for Ghana, that was defender Josephine Bonsu who converted a penalty from the spot to give the Black Queens a 2-1 victory over neighbours Côte d’Ivoire at the Larbi Zaouli Stadium in Casablanca on a cool Thursday night.
With their title campaign down the drain at the TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, the Black Queens who were bronze medalists at last year’s edition, came into the game desperate to stay in the run for a spot at the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2027 in Brazil.
The last time Ghana competed at the global stage was 2007. Bonsu was eight years old when the Black Queens fell to Norway 7-2 in Hangzhou, China in their last ever World Cup appearance. Born in Berlin, Bonsu has always been curious about her father’s side of the family. Playing football was in the family and that right there was the connection.
“My Dad used to play football in Ghana so I think it just came easy for me. So, for as long as I can remember growing up with mostly boys was easy. There was just football, iced tea and some cheap ice,” she reminsces.
“We are lucky that we also went to the same team and school throughout our childhood. Until this day, we are really good friends and they are also a big part of my life and football career. I’ll forever remember this time.”
At Alemmania Haselhorst, Bonsu crafted her skills one day at a time. Playing with boys until the U15 level before joining 1. FC Lübars saw her earn a spot at Union Berlin’s youth academy.
“For most of my time [as a child], I just enjoyed playing football with my friends and teammates. I never knew it could provide food on the table to be honest.”
Dreams do come true
Way before she figured that she could earn from football, there was a burning desire inside her to represent her country.
Eligible to feature for both Germany and Ghana, Bonsu chose the latter and when head coach Kim Lars Björkegren called her up in February 2025, everything changed. She finally got that prestigious call-up to the Black Queens of Ghana. An inclusion that would forever change her life.
“It’s a very proud feeling, because I’ve always dreamed of being a national team player from when I was young. Representing Ghana with such pride and honour is just amazing,” she points out.
The 26-year-old defender recalls clearly.
Bonsu goes on, “I remember every second of it. It was also in Morocco, a friendly match in February 2025. I got subbed in and normally I don’t really get nervous before I play but this was just different. Looking at the flag and hearing the national anthem, this is where I realized, this is not just me representing my Dad, this is me representing a whole country. I felt very proud.”
Within five months of playing for Ghana, Bonsu inspired the Black Queens to a memorable campaign that resulted into them bagging bronze in their first return to the continental competition since 2018. She will never ever forget it. It was timely.
Penalty Maestro
Not only is Bonsu marking opposing attackers as a defender, she is also scoring goals – not just ordinary goals but penalties.
She says with a grin on her face, “It’s a funny story. I never kicked a penalty in my life but then since last year at the WAFCON, my name was first on the list and I was quite surprised. But then now, I am one of the first to take penalties for the team. I feel good about taking penalties now and this one [against Côte d’Ivoire] was pretty big.”
Against Côte d’Ivoire in the playoff game for a slot to the World Cup inter-confederation playoffs, Bonsu netted her fourth penalty in as many attempts. She scored against Algeria as the first one in line against the Fennecs in the quarterfinals – their first qualification out of the group stages since 2016.
Bonsu also put one past Morocco’s goalkeeper Khadija Er-Rmichi in the semifinals but Ghana went on to lose 4-2 on penalties following a 1-1 draw. In the third place playoff against South Africa, she came in as the third penalty scorer and delivered the goods. That is 100% accuracy.
But in the 72nd minute of Thursday’s victory against Côte d’Ivoire, Bonsu finally recorded her first ever international goal for the Black Queens of Ghana. Now, that is special.
What next?
In the space of 18 months, Bonsu has established herself as a leader. Playing alongside captain and veteran star player Portia Boakye has seen her continue to grow in her role on the team. The communication between the two is a beautiful sight.
They cover each other with effortless precision, make crucial interceptions and win several duels in the air and on the ground. That builds their confidence and emphasizes their solidity.
Boakye, who is 11 years her senior, has continuosly praised this generation of Black Queens and at the heart of that praise is players like Bonsu. Capable of playing as a right back, left back or even in midfield, Bonsu’s versatility has been key for a second straight WAFCON in Ghana’s stability and reminder to the football world that the Black Queens are back to the high table of African Football and that they belong to this level.
As a modern player who has received praise from many including opponents, Bonsu has been a mainstay in Björkegren’s starting lineups courtesy of her game intelligence, passing ability, mobility and the capacity to drive forward.
As Ghana looks ahead to the inter-confederation playoffs for a chance to be in Brazil next year, Bonsu is excited about the future. Away from the football on the pitch, she is also enjoying the cultural shock that comes from growing up in Germany and now representing Ghana.
“It’s very different, in every way. It’s more energetic, loud and a whole lot more than what I’m used to in Germany. Where I come from, they always ask why is it that I’m always smiling and being in a good mood. When I got to know my other half of my culture, I realized this was the missing part of me. This is why I am who I am,” Bonsu concludes.
Energetic, loud and passionate is how best she describes this Black Queens squad. She is at home. She has found her tribe and is not looking back. A worthwhile homecoming.
