WAFCON 2026: Black Queens Secure Winning Start Against Debutants Cape Verde
Ghana’s Black Queens defeated the Cape Verde women’s national football team in their opening WAFCON 2026 game on Wednesday, July 29, at the Moulay Rachid Stadium in Casablanca.
Doris Boaduwaa scored for Ghana’s Black Queens in the seventh minute of the first half, and Eleia Vieira scored an own goal in the 54th minute of the second.
The Black Queens faced an island nation for the first time in competition history, as well as a tournament debutant, after defeating Kenya 3:1 in 2016, when Cameroon hosted the 12th edition.
Kim Lars Björkegren’s side produced a composed display to begin their quest for a first-ever continental title on a positive note, especially scoring a hundred per cent record against tournament debutants; they have now won all five matches since 2000.
Cape Verde threatened early in the game, but goalkeeper Cynthia Konlan made a crucial save inside the first five minutes to keep the scores level.
Portia Boakye’s perfectly weighted pass released the forward, Boaduwaa, who maintained her composure to lift the ball over the advancing custodian, giving the Black Queens an early lead. Ghana responded quickly to Cynthia’s outstanding goalkeeping performance.
For the majority of the first half, the Queens controlled the pace with patient passing, pushing Cape Verde far into their own half. Portia Boakye made a vital clearance to prevent Cape Verde from getting back into the game, and Susan Duah confidently organised the defence.
Nine minutes after the restart, the Black Queens increased their lead. Eleia Vieira, a Cape Verde defender, was forced to turn the ball into her own net under duress after Chantelle Boye-Hlorkah delivered a risky cross into the penalty area, making it 2-0.
Björkegren, the Swedish tactician, refreshed his team by introducing Linda Eshun and Princella Adubea shortly after the hour mark, before bringing on Anoma and Evelyn Badu.
The Black Queens demonstrated their defensive strength at the 2026 Women’s AFCON by keeping a clean sheet in their last four games against Ivory Coast, Tanzania, Malawi, and Cape Verde.
