Black Queens Coach Kim Björkegren Confident Ahead of Crucial WAFCON Clash Against Mali
Ghana’s women’s national football team, the Black Queens, are preparing for a high-stakes encounter against Mali in the ongoing 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), and head coach Kim Lars Björkegren is maintaining a positive outlook despite mounting pressure.
After suffering a 2-0 loss to defending champions South Africa in their Group C opener, the Queens find themselves at the bottom of the table, with no points and no goals scored. The defeat means Ghana now faces a must-win scenario in order to keep their hopes of qualifying for the knockout stage alive. Yet, the Swedish tactician remains undeterred, pointing to the team’s encouraging performance against a seasoned South African side as reason for optimism.
“We didn’t get the result we wanted, but there were plenty of positives to take from the game,” Björkegren said during the pre-match press conference. “We created more opportunities, had more shots, more corners, and even hit the woodwork twice. The players kept pushing until the final whistle.”
Despite the result, the Black Queens showed flashes of attacking intent, resilience, and determination against the well-organized and experienced Banyana Banyana, who have consistently been one of Africa’s top-performing women’s teams. According to Björkegren, those moments of promise give him confidence that the Queens can deliver a better outcome against Mali.
With Mali currently sitting second in the group standings, they only require a draw from today’s match to secure qualification to the next round. Ghana, on the other hand, needs a victory at all costs. A draw or loss would see them crash out of the tournament at the group stage, adding urgency and intensity to what promises to be a fiercely contested battle.
But the challenge doesn’t seem to faze the coach or his players.
“We’re not going into this game thinking about what Mali needs,” Björkegren explained. “We are approaching this like any other match — with the goal to win. Our mentality is to fight for all three points, whether it’s the opening group match or a tournament final.”
He further emphasized the team’s preparation, noting that the technical team has thoroughly studied Mali’s tactics and player tendencies, and believes that Ghana has the right mix of strategy, talent, and mindset to take control of the match.
“We respect Mali. They’re a strong side and they’ve shown that in this competition. But we’ve done our homework. We’ve analyzed their strengths and weaknesses, and we have a plan. What matters most is sticking to our style of play and executing our ideas confidently.”
The upcoming match is set to be played at the Stade Municipal de Berkane in Morocco on Thursday, July 11, with kick-off scheduled for 16:00 GMT. With both teams fighting for very different stakes — Mali for qualification and Ghana for survival — the game is expected to be intense and emotionally charged.
The pressure on the Black Queens is not just sporting; it carries national pride and symbolic weight. Ghana is one of the traditional powerhouses in African women’s football, and an early exit would be a bitter blow to the team’s ambitions and legacy. However, the coaching staff remains hopeful that the players will rise to the occasion and deliver a performance worthy of their reputation.
Björkegren, who took charge of the team with the aim of rebuilding and strengthening it for continental and global competitions, has shown faith in his squad’s potential throughout the tournament. While the journey has not been smooth, he believes the team is growing stronger with each game.
“We are learning and evolving. Tournaments like WAFCON are intense and demand the best from everyone involved — players, coaches, and support staff. The group stage is a test of consistency and mental strength. I believe the girls have what it takes to step up.”
As kickoff approaches, fans back in Ghana and across Africa will be watching closely, hopeful that the Black Queens can rediscover their rhythm and showcase the kind of football that once made them a dominant force on the continent. Victory today not only keeps them alive in the tournament but also restores belief in the squad’s ability to compete at the highest level.
Whether Ghana can turn their fortunes around and keep their WAFCON dream alive will soon be decided. For now, what is clear is that Björkegren and his team are not backing down. They are ready to fight — and win.
