- Ghana’s Black Queens need a win against Tanzania for chances of qualifying.
- They drew 1-1 against Mali after an early lead by Doris Boaduwaa.
- Jennifer Cudjoe was pivotal in attack but lacked finishing support.
- Mali equalized in the second half, pushing Ghana further into a must-win scenario.
- Ghana now sits third in Group C and must secure full points to progress.
Ghana’s Tough Journey in WAFCON 2024 Begins with Draw
Ghana’s Black Queens face a tough road ahead at the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), following a disappointing 1-1 draw against Mali on July 11, 2025, at the Berkane Municipal Stadium. After starting their campaign with a 2-0 loss to South Africa, this match was crucial, as they needed every point to maintain a shot at advancing in Group C. Early in the game, Doris Boaduwaa scored in the 6th minute, marking her first goal of the tournament and putting Ghana in the lead thanks to an assist from Chantelle Boye-Hlorkah.
Mali’s Equalizer Changes the Match Dynamics
The early goal sparked a glimmer of hope within the team. Jennifer Cudjoe proved instrumental, operating just behind the forwards and creating challenges for the Mali defense with her tactical plays and speed. Just midway through the first half, Cudjoe’s pinpoint cross found Boaduwaa once more, but this time her header missed the target. Despite heading into the break with momentum on their side, Mali regrouped during halftime and came back stronger. Aissata Traoré leveled the score in the 52nd minute, taking advantage of a defensive lapse from Ghana’s side. This equalizer shifted the dynamics of the match, leaving Ghana struggling to regain control.
Ghana Faces Must-Win Situation Against Tanzania
In an attempt to boost the team’s performance, head coach Kim Lars Bjorkegren turned to the bench in the 73rd minute, giving Josephine Bonsu Kyerewaa her tournament debut. She replaced Anasthesia Achiaa, likely looking to inject fresh energy into the midfield and push for a winning goal. Although Ghana made several attempts through Chanetelle and substitutes, they could not find the back of the net again. Now, with just one point from two matches, Ghana finds itself in a precarious position, sitting third in Group C and desperately needing a win against Tanzania in their final round to keep their knockout hopes alive. There’s pressure mounting, as each match becomes critical in their quest for advancement in this prestigious tournament.
The Black Queens of Ghana are in a challenging position at WAFCON 2024 after managing just a single point from their first two group matches. Despite early promise against Mali, the failure to secure victory leaves them with no safety net. The upcoming match against Tanzania now becomes a critical must-win if they want to keep their hopes alive for progression in the tournament.
