Ghana’s Black Queens began their 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) campaign on a winning note after securing a convincing 2-0 victory over Cape Verde on Wednesday, July 29, 2026.
The Black Queens made an early statement, taking the lead just six minutes into the contest through striker Doris Boaduwaa.
The breakthrough came moments after goalkeeper Cynthia Konlan produced an important save to deny Cape Verde in the fifth minute, allowing Ghana to quickly regain control and punish their opponents at the other end.
Kim Lars Bjorkegren’s side dominated possession for much of the opening half, controlling the tempo with confident passing and keeping Cape Verde pinned back in their own half.
Princess Marfo nearly doubled Ghana’s advantage before the interval, but the Black Queens went into the break holding a narrow 1-0 lead.
Ghana continued to dictate play after halftime, with Sharon Sampson introduced at the start of the second half to inject more energy into the attack.
Their pressure paid off in the 53rd minute when Chantelle Boye-Hlorkah’s dangerous cross forced a Cape Verde defender to turn the ball into her own net, giving the Black Queens a deserved two-goal advantage.
Bjorkegren later introduced Linda Eshun, Princella Adubea and Anoma Yeboah as Ghana comfortably saw out the remainder of the match.
Cape Verde created a few chances in the closing stages, but Konlan remained composed whenever she was called into action, while Boye-Hlorkah came close to adding a third goal with a curling effort that narrowly missed the target.
The victory hands Ghana all three points and provides the perfect start to their WAFCON 2026 campaign as the Black Queens look to build momentum in their quest for continental success.
