Ghana’s Black Queens have qualified for the quarterfinals of the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) after a resounding 4-1 victory over Tanzania in their final Group C encounter on Monday evening.
The win marks Ghana’s return to the knockout stage of the tournament for the first time since 2016.
Heading into the match knowing only a win would secure progress, Coach Kim Lars Björkegren’s side delivered a spirited performance in Rabat, overcoming an early setback and finishing the group phase in style.
WAFCON debutant Princella Adubea opened the scoring for Ghana in the 12th minute after capitalising on a misjudged clearance by the Tanzanian goalkeeper.
However, Tanzania struck back before halftime when Stumai Abdallah fired home the equaliser following a defensive lapse during a set-piece.
The Black Queens responded with renewed energy in the second half. Princess Marfo, a constant attacking threat, was brought down in the box, earning Ghana a penalty.
Alice Kusi stepped up confidently to restore the lead in the 63rd minute, moving Ghana back into a qualifying spot as group standings fluctuated due to simultaneous matches.
Soon after, Adubea was forced off due to injury and replaced by Evelyn Badu, who made an immediate impact. A free kick from Stella Nyamekye, brought on to boost Ghana’s attack, caused chaos in the Tanzanian area, and Badu reacted quickest to score Ghana’s third.
In the dying minutes, Chantelle Boye-Hlorkah sealed the emphatic win with a curling effort from the edge of the box, ensuring the Black Queens advanced as group runners-up.
Reactions from the Camp
Speaking after the match, Boye-Hlorkah expressed pride in the team’s unity and determination.
“I’m proud—so, so proud of the girls. They had my back out there today. I try to lead with energy and voice, and we played as a team. That’s what made the difference,” she said.
She also admitted to a moment of personal responsibility during the match.
“We conceded, and I take full responsibility for that, but the girls rallied around me. I told them we won’t win unless we play as a team, and we did exactly that.”
Princella Adubea, who battled back from a long-term injury to return for the tournament, was equally emotional after the victory.
“Our journey here hasn’t been easy. We’ve had tough games, but we stayed united. There’s no way we could have failed to qualify,” she said.
The match also marked Ghana’s fourth consecutive unbeaten final group game in WAFCON history—a sign of growing consistency at the continental level.
Quarterfinal Lineup
With the group stage concluded, the tournament now moves into its most competitive phase.
The Black Queens will face North African powerhouse Algeria on Saturday in a highly anticipated quarterfinal clash.
Other quarterfinal pairings include:
Morocco vs Mali
Nigeria vs Zambia
South Africa vs Senegal
As the competition intensifies, eight teams remain in the hunt for the coveted WAFCON title. With a rejuvenated squad and newfound momentum, Ghana will look to extend their journey and stake their claim for continental glory.
