Egypt will face Ghana this afternoon in Cairo in the first leg of the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, a contest that could define both teams’ continental ambitions.
Kick-off is scheduled for 4:00 p.m., with the Pharaohs determined to make their home advantage count before the decisive return leg.
Egypt’s focus remains clear — secure a strong result at home and travel to Ghana with confidence. Coach Mohamed Kamal’s side aims to use a disciplined structure while maintaining quick attacking transitions to unsettle their opponents.
The Pharaohs understand that conceding early could prove costly against a team as experienced and physically imposing as the Black Queens.
Ghana, one of the traditional powerhouses of African women’s football, enters this clash with firm belief in their ability to secure a valuable away result.
The Black Queens, under coach Nora Häuptle, want to impose their tempo and ensure they take either a victory or a high-scoring draw back to Accra.
For Egypt, this fixture is more than a qualifier — it represents a statement of intent. Having missed recent continental tournaments, the team views this campaign as a chance to reassert its place among Africa’s elite.
A victory in Cairo would not only boost confidence but also rekindle belief among Egyptian supporters who have long awaited a return to prominence on the women’s stage.
Ghana, however, brings depth and experience that few teams on the continent can match. With players accustomed to the demands of top-level competition, the Black Queens know how to handle high-pressure fixtures. Their challenge will be to control the game’s rhythm, avoid complacency, and convert scoring opportunities.
The result of this encounter will play a major role in shaping the outcome of the second leg. Both sides know that a single lapse in concentration could decide who qualifies for Morocco 2026.
