Black Queens head coach Kim Lars Björkegren has called on his players to be more clinical in front of goal as they prepare for a crucial Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) quarterfinal clash with Algeria.
Ghana will take on the North African side on Saturday, July 19, at the Stade de Berkane, with a place in the semifinals of the 2024 WAFCON at stake.
The Black Queens advanced to the last eight after a dominant 4-1 victory over Tanzania in their final Group C fixture. Algeria, on the other hand, progressed from a tough Group B, finishing second and remarkably not conceding a single goal during the group stage.
Speaking at a pre-match press conference on Friday, Coach Björkegren praised Algeria’s defensive strength but stressed the importance of precision in front of goal.
“Algeria are a really well-organised team, especially in defense, and they have a good goalkeeper,” Björkegren told journalists.
“We’ve talked about the need to make it a little more difficult for her. We can’t just shoot from 45 meters and hope for the best. We need to create better chances and be clinical when those opportunities come — no need to look for fancy goals.”
The Swedish tactician acknowledged the tough task ahead but expressed confidence in his squad.
“It’s going to be a difficult game, but I believe in the players. I’m sure they’ll put in a good performance,” he added.
Kick-off is scheduled for 16:00 GMT.
READ ALSO