{"id":112435,"date":"2026-01-23T17:20:42","date_gmt":"2026-01-23T17:20:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sotnews.agency\/?p=112435"},"modified":"2026-01-23T17:20:42","modified_gmt":"2026-01-23T17:20:42","slug":"2026-womens-afcon-group-queens-coach-targets-top-four-world-cup-ticket","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sotnews.agency\/?p=112435","title":{"rendered":"
2026 Women’s AFCON Group: Queens coach targets top four, World Cup ticket<\/div>"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n
\n \t<\/i> Read Time:<\/span>2 Minute, 38 Second <\/div>\n\n <\/div>

Black Queens head coach Kim Lars Bj\u00f6rkegren has signalled both caution and confidence as his team prepares for the 2026 Women\u2019s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), admitting his side face a demanding group as they aim for a podium finish and beyond at the March 17 to April 3 tournament in Morocco.
\nIn a frank but confident assessment of Ghana\u2019s prospects at the continental showpiece, the Swedish tactician warned of stiff competition, while underlining the team\u2019s ambition, with a focus on thorough preparation to navigate the continent\u2019s toughest tournament, now expanded to 16 teams with trophies, cash prizes and Women’s World Cup tickets at stake.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The official draw in Rabat last week placed Ghana in Group D alongside Cameroun, Mali and Cape Verde. While Mali is a familiar foe from the last edition, Cameroun bring a potent mix of physicality and tactical strength, and Cape Verde arrive as ambitious newcomers eager to make their mark.
\n\u201cIt\u2019s going to be a tough group for sure,\u201d Bj\u00f6rkegren acknowledged, as he began analysing a pool that mixes pedigree, familiarity and ambition.
\nStrong Cameroun
\nCameroun, perennial contenders on the continent, appear to have made the strongest early impression on the Swedish tactician. \u201cI watched the Cameroun squad the other day, and I was a little bit surprised,\u201d he said. \u201cI found out one of the players is from Cameroun. I didn\u2019t know, so it\u2019s an amazing squad.\u201d
\nOn familiar opponents, Mali, the coach said: \u201cWe played against Mali in the previous Women\u2019s World Cup, so we know that they are a good team,\u201d Bj\u00f6rkegren noted, while also warning against underestimating debutants Cape Verde, who arrive eager to announce themselves on the big stage.
\nWith the draw complete, the Ghana coach is already turning his attention to preparation. \u201cFrom now on, we can start planning for it and make the best possible preparation to achieve a good result,\u201d he said.
\nThe Black Queens\u2019 objectives are ambitious, with the Women’s World Cup in sight. \u201cFor me, and I think for all of us, it\u2019s a clear target to make the top four, to qualify for the World Cup. That\u2019s very important. If we make the top four, then we can push for the gold,\u201d Bj\u00f6rkegren explained.
\nQueens on the rise
\nGhana\u2019s confidence is underpinned by recent performances. At the 2025 WAFCON, the Black Queens finished third after a dramatic 4-3 penalty shoot-out victory over South Africa, signalling their return to the continent\u2019s elite.
\nEven a recent 2-0 defeat to European champions England has been viewed positively, highlighting the team\u2019s growing ability to compete with top-level opposition.
\nWith a deepening talent pool and the experience of a semi-final run under Bj\u00f6rkegren at the last tournament, the Black Queens will target at least another last-four finish\u2014and ultimately, their elusive first WAFCON title.
\nThe expanded 16-team 2026 WAFCON, featuring hosts Morocco, Nigeria, South Africa and Zambia, promises to be one of the most competitive editions yet, with the added incentive of automatic qualification for the top four teams to the 2027 FIFA Women\u2019s World Cup.<\/p>\n

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\n

\"Coach<\/p>\n

Black Queens head coach Kim Lars Bj\u00f6rkegren has signalled both caution and confidence as his team prepares for the 2026 Women\u2019s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), admitting his side face a demanding group as they aim for a podium finish and beyond at the March 17 to April 3 tournament in Morocco. <\/strong><\/p>\n

In a frank but confident assessment of Ghana\u2019s prospects at the continental showpiece, the Swedish tactician warned of stiff competition, while underlining the team\u2019s ambition, with a focus on thorough preparation to navigate the continent\u2019s toughest tournament, now expanded to 16 teams with trophies, cash prizes and Women’s World Cup tickets at stake.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The official draw in Rabat last week placed Ghana in Group D alongside Cameroun, Mali and Cape Verde. While Mali is a familiar foe from the last edition, Cameroun bring a potent mix of physicality and tactical strength, and Cape Verde arrive as ambitious newcomers eager to make their mark.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s going to be a tough group for sure,\u201d Bj\u00f6rkegren acknowledged, as he began analysing a pool that mixes pedigree, familiarity and ambition.<\/p>\n

Strong Cameroun<\/h2>\n

Cameroun, perennial contenders on the continent, appear to have made the strongest early impression on the Swedish tactician. \u201cI watched the Cameroun squad the other day, and I was a little bit surprised,\u201d he said. \u201cI found out one of the players is from Cameroun. I didn\u2019t know, so it\u2019s an amazing squad.\u201d<\/p>\n

On familiar opponents, Mali, the coach said: \u201cWe played against Mali in the previous Women\u2019s World Cup, so we know that they are a good team,\u201d Bj\u00f6rkegren noted, while also warning against underestimating debutants Cape Verde, who arrive eager to announce themselves on the big stage.<\/p>\n

With the draw complete, the Ghana coach is already turning his attention to preparation. \u201cFrom now on, we can start planning for it and make the best possible preparation to achieve a good result,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

The Black Queens\u2019 objectives are ambitious, with the Women’s World Cup in sight. \u201cFor me, and I think for all of us, it\u2019s a clear target to make the top four, to qualify for the World Cup. That\u2019s very important. If we make the top four, then we can push for the gold,\u201d Bj\u00f6rkegren explained.<\/p>\n

Queens on the rise<\/h2>\n

Ghana\u2019s confidence is underpinned by recent performances. At the 2025 WAFCON, the Black Queens finished third after a dramatic 4-3 penalty shoot-out victory over South Africa, signalling their return to the continent\u2019s elite.<\/p>\n

Even a recent 2-0 defeat to European champions England has been viewed positively, highlighting the team\u2019s growing ability to compete with top-level opposition.<\/p>\n

With a deepening talent pool and the experience of a semi-final run under Bj\u00f6rkegren at the last tournament, the Black Queens will target at least another last-four finish\u2014and ultimately, their elusive first WAFCON title.<\/p>\n

The expanded 16-team 2026 WAFCON, featuring hosts Morocco, Nigeria, South Africa and Zambia, promises to be one of the most competitive editions yet, with the added incentive of automatic qualification for the top four teams to the 2027 FIFA Women\u2019s World Cup.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"rop_custom_images_group":[],"rop_custom_messages_group":[],"rop_publish_now":"initial","rop_publish_now_accounts":{"facebook_2277560469115098_106292521332774":"","twitter_aToxNzczMzI3Njk4OTg4ODUxMjAxOw==_1773327698988851200":""},"rop_publish_now_history":[],"rop_publish_now_status":"pending","_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[11,103],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-112435","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-sports","category-travel"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sotnews.agency\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/112435","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/sotnews.agency\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/sotnews.agency\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sotnews.agency\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sotnews.agency\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=112435"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/sotnews.agency\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/112435\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sotnews.agency\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=112435"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sotnews.agency\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=112435"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sotnews.agency\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=112435"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}