Black Queens head coach Kim Lars Björkegren has urged his players to strike the right balance between defensive discipline and attacking intent when Ghana face Malawi in the quarter-finals of the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON).
Ghana will battle the Scorchers at the Al Madina Stadium in Rabat on Sunday, with a place in the semi-finals and a return to the FIFA Women’s World Cup on the line.
Speaking to the media ahead of the highly anticipated encounter, the Swedish tactician stressed the need for Ghana to remain compact defensively while maintaining confidence in possession and making the most of their opportunities.
“We can’t just defend with 11 players against Malawi. We need a balance and also to believe in ourselves to keep the ball in the team and convert our chances. We need to play our game,” Björkegren said.
The Black Queens booked their place in the last eight after finishing second in Group D following a 1-1 draw with Mali in their final group-stage fixture.
Björkegren’s side will now turn their attention to Malawi, who are expected to pose a significant attacking threat in what promises to be a closely contested quarter-final.
Beyond a place in the semi-finals, the encounter carries additional significance for Ghana, as victory would secure the Black Queens’ qualification for the FIFA Women’s World Cup for the first time since 2007.
Ghana will therefore be aiming to combine their growing confidence with defensive organisation and attacking efficiency as they look to overcome the Scorchers and keep their hopes of winning the continental title alive.
The quarter-final clash is scheduled to kick off at 20:00 GMT on Sunday at the Al Madina Stadium in Rabat.
