WAFCON 2026: Ghana’s Black Queens roar past debutants Cape Verde in Group D opener

The Ghana Black Queens launched their 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) campaign with a flawless 2-0 victory over tournament debutants Cape Verde at the Moulay Rachid Stadium in Casablanca, Morocco.

Keen to make an immediate impression in Group D, Coach Kim Lars Björkegren’s side established total dominance from the opening whistle.

The Ghanaians did not have to wait long for a breakthrough, as forward Doris Boaduwaa capitalised on a lapse in the Cape Verdean defence to fire the Black Queens ahead in just the sixth minute.

Boaduwaa’s early strike set a confident tone for the four-time finalists, who exploited wide channels and controlled the tempo through fluid midfield transitions.

Despite their relative lack of experience at this elite continental level, Cape Verde fought back with incredible resilience, setting up a compact defensive block that successfully frustrated the Ghanaian attackers for the remainder of the first half.

The second half mirrored the first, with Ghana continuing to dictate the rhythm of the game while hunting for a cushioning goal.

Their persistent attacking pressure eventually forced an error from Cape Verde’s backline. Under intense duress inside the penalty box, Cape Verdean defender Eleia Vieira inadvertently deflected the ball into her own net, doubling Ghana’s advantage.

This unfortunate own goal effectively crushed Cape Verde’s hopes of mounting a late comeback, allowing the Black Queens to manage the remaining minutes with tactical maturity.

By securing these vital three points, Ghana firmly establishes themselves as serious contenders in a highly competitive Group D that also features heavyweights Cameroon and Mali.

The technical bench will undoubtedly appreciate this clean sheet as they prepare for a much tougher physical battle against Cameroon on August 2.