Black Queens head coach Kim Lars Björkegren has expressed his disappointment after Ghana missed out on automatic qualification for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
Ghana’s hopes of reaching the WAFCON semi-finals and securing a direct ticket to next year’s World Cup were dashed on Sunday after the Black Queens suffered a 2-1 defeat to Malawi in the quarter-finals at the Al Madina Stadium in Rabat.
The result sent Malawi through to the last four and earned them the final automatic World Cup qualification slot available through the tournament, leaving Ghana to pursue qualification through the play-off route.
Björkegren admitted that the defeat was particularly painful, revealing how much he wanted to help Ghana end its long wait for a return to the Women’s World Cup.
“Potentially the worst feeling I had in 20 years of coaching. I’m feeling so much for this team, for Ghana,” the Swedish trainer told the media after the game.
“I really wanted to help them to go to the first World Cup in 20 years, and we felt that we had a good chance to do it… but we didn’t perform well enough,” Björkegren added.
The Black Queens must now quickly regroup as they continue their quest for a place at the 2027 Women’s World Cup.
Ghana will face Côte d’Ivoire on Thursday, August 13, in a crucial WAFCON play-in match, with a place in the FIFA Women’s World Cup Play-Off Tournament at stake.
