WAFCON 2026: Ghana coach Kim Lars Bjorkegren demands balance against Malawi as Black Queens chase World Cup ticket

Black Queens head coach Kim Lars Bjorkegren has urged his players to strike the right balance between defensive discipline and attacking ambition when they face Malawi in their WAFCON 2026 quarter-final on Sunday.

The high-stakes encounter in Rabat carries an automatic qualification ticket to the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil, with Ghana hoping to end a 20-year absence from the global tournament.

The Black Queens reached the quarter-finals after finishing second in Group D, while Malawi topped Group C after producing one of the tournament’s biggest surprises by defeating defending champions Nigeria.

Ghana will need to be particularly cautious against the Scorchers, who boast the dangerous Chawinga sisters, but Björkegren does not want his team to become overly defensive.

The Swedish coach believes Ghana must retain possession and take the initiative if they are to secure a place in the semi-finals.

“We can’t just defend with 11 players against Malawi. We need a balance and also to believe in ourselves to keep the ball in the team and convert our chances. We need to play our game.”

Björkegren’s side will also draw confidence from their 4-0 victory over Malawi in a pre-tournament friendly, although the Scorchers used a significantly changed lineup in that encounter.