The Ghana women’s national football team will continue their preparations for the upcoming Women’s Africa Cup of Nations with a stern test against Russia women’s national football team today in the 2026 Pink Ladies Cup in the United Arab Emirates.
The tournament forms a key part of the Queens’ build-up to the continental showpiece, which will be staged in Morocco later this month.
Keen to fine-tune tactics and build momentum ahead of the championship, the technical team has opted to use the invitational competition as a measuring stick against varied opposition.
Ghana made an emphatic start to their campaign with a commanding 4–0 victory over Hong Kong women’s national football team at the Al Hamriya Sports Club Stadium. Princess Marfo opened the scoring in the 28th minute before Doris Boaduwaa doubled the lead on the stroke of half-time. Chantelle Boye-Hlorkah added a third shortly after the restart, and debutant Agejipina Zakaria crowned an impressive team display with a late fourth in the 87th minute.
Head coach Kim Lars and his squad now turn their focus to Russia in what promises to be a sterner examination. The Queens will wrap up their group fixtures against Tanzania women’s national football team on Friday, with ambitions of securing the results needed to lift the Pink Ladies Cup trophy.
There were initial concerns about the team’s participation due to tensions in parts of the Middle East, but the Ghana Football Association has assured the public that the squad remains safe and unaffected, confirming their continued involvement in the tournament.
Russia head into the encounter brimming with confidence. Champions of the maiden edition in 2024 and runners-up last year, they opened this year’s campaign with a 4–1 victory over Tanzania last Saturday. Their pedigree and recent form set the stage for a compelling showdown as both sides eye supremacy in the competition.
