TotalEnergies CAF WAFCON 2024: Ghana Team Profile
How the Team Qualified
Ghana secured qualification in convincing fashion, eliminating Rwanda and Namibia in the preliminary rounds. In the first round, the Black Queens overwhelmed Rwanda with a dominant 7-0 away win, followed by a 5-0 home victory—finishing with a staggering 12-0 aggregate.
In the second round, they defeated Namibia 3-1 in Accra before narrowly losing 1-0 in Pretoria, advancing on a 3-2 aggregate score.
TotalEnergies CAF WAFCON History
The Black Queens are among the pioneers of women’s football in Africa. They have participated in multiple editions, reaching the final three times (1998, 2002, and 2006), though they have yet to lift the trophy.
Following a decline characterized by early exits and absences, the team has seen a revival in recent years, thanks in part to a promising new generation and increased investment in women’s football development in Ghana.
Players to Watch
Princella Adubea
The heartbeat of Ghana’s attack, Princella Adubea is a fast, powerful striker with a clinical edge. She made headlines in the qualifiers with a hat-trick against Rwanda, reaffirming her reputation as a natural goal-scorer.
A product of Ghana’s top women’s club Ampem Darkoa, she previously played for Spain’s Sporting Huelva and currently plies her trade at Abu Dhabi Country Club in the UAE.
Her smart positioning, mobility, and knack for converting half-chances into goals make her a major threat in the final third. At 26, she enters this WAFCON in her prime, carrying much of Ghana’s offensive hopes.
Alice Kusi
The creative engine in midfield, Kusi combines playmaking and goal-scoring abilities. She sets the tempo, breaks lines with accurate passing, and makes timely runs into the box. She also netted a hat-trick during the Rwanda qualifiers, underscoring her impact in the attacking third. Now playing for Al Ahli in Saudi Arabia, Kusi is known for her calmness on the ball, ability to destabilize opposing defences, and precision in the final pass.
The Coach
Kim Lars Björkegren
Appointed in January 2025, Swedish coach Kim Lars Björkegren brings extensive international experience in women’s football. A Swedish league champion in 2017 with Linköpings FC, he later managed clubs in China and Cyprus (winning an unbeaten title with Apollon Ladies), and most recently coached Racing Louisville FC in the NWSL.
A modern, demanding tactician, Björkegren emphasizes structured play, tactical discipline, collective pressing, and high-intensity transitions. He aims to instil a winning culture in the Black Queens, with a clear objective of contending for the title.
Ambitions and Group Analysis
Ghana will compete in Group C alongside reigning champions South Africa, Mali, and Tanzania. In this competitive group, the Black Queens aim to advance to the knockout stage and re-establish themselves among the continent’s elite.