Black Queens midfielder Jennifer Cudjoe has acknowledged the tough challenge Mali will pose but insists Ghana will approach their decisive 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) clash with confidence and determination.
Ghana will be seeking to bounce back from a narrow 1-0 defeat to Cameroon when the Black Queens face Mali in a decisive 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) group-stage encounter.
The defeat delayed Ghana’s qualification for the quarter-finals and left their fate to be determined by the final group match against Mali.
Speaking to the media on Wednesday ahead of the game, midfielder Jennifer Cudjoe acknowledged that the two teams are familiar with each other but stressed that the upcoming fixture will present a different challenge.
“We’ve played them before; they are a good team. We played them last year. We will approach it how we are approaching it, making sure we do what is right. It is not going to be the same as last year,” Cudjoe said.
Ghana last faced Mali on July 11, 2025, in a WAFCON group-stage fixture, with the game ending in a 1-1 draw. The Black Queens dominated possession and recorded 18 shots but were unable to secure a victory.
Cudjoe believes the squad has the quality to respond under pressure and show their true character when it matters most.
A win against Mali would guarantee Ghana a place in the quarter-finals and keep alive their hopes of winning the continental title.
The Black Queens are also aiming to end Ghana’s World Cup qualification drought by reaching the WAFCON semi-finals, a feat that would secure a place at the global tournament.
Kick-off is scheduled for 20:00 GMT.
