“The senior women’s national team, the Black Queens, who do not get half the attention of the Black Stars, have been performing quite creditably,” former President Akufo Addo remarked, capturing the pride of a nation rallying behind its champions.
Once regarded as a dominant force on the continent, the elite side now find itself under heavy pressure following poor results, tactical lapses, and off-field uncertainties clouding a promising campaign.
In a nation where fans are passionate about football, it is often the men’s game that dominates headlines, from domestic leagues to the national team. While the spotlight remains on the male teams, it is the Black Queens that keep rewriting the story with a weight of legacy across the continent.
In recent times, the team has struggled to assert its dominance in Africa, failing to overpower some underdogs in their pre-Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) campaign as Ghanaians have raised eyebrows about their readiness ahead of the party.
From powerhouse to puzzle, the Queens announced their dominance with a hard-fought qualification into the continent’s biggest stage after a long break (2018) clothed in challenges ranging from poor tactical decisions, unavailability of experienced players and other major factors.
Leaning on a ten-game winning streak, the West African giants exhibited authority against Namibia and Rwanda, netting 15 goals and conceding two, a way to announce the birth of a new chapter under Coach Nora Huaptel.
Her leadership was instrumental in revitalizing the team and instilling a renewed sense of purpose and competitiveness in the girls.
Runners-up in three of the first five editions of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (1998, 2002, 2006), featuring in three successive World Cups (1999,2003,2007), the Black Queens had some memories to embrace.
For Ghana, reaching the semi-final will be historic, not only as a gateway towards lifting the trophy but an entry into the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup, a stage they last graced in 2007 under former Coach Isaac Paha.
Just as the Queens were gradually regaining their strength on the continental stage, there was a huge blow from the camp of Nora Häuptle who announced her departure as head coach of Ghana. Her leadership had played a role in the nation’s transformational plan in developing women’s football.
In the quest to get the team rolling, the Ghana Football Association (GFA) in January announced Swedish tactician Kim Lars Björkegren to lead the female side insearch of a first WAFCON title, a feat they have been longing to reach since making a debut in 1998.
The 43-year-old with a reputation for tactical discipline took over a young squad that has tasted resurgence and now carries the weight of expectation.
The gaffer in his first interview said “I see so much talent in this country, and I am really sure that in the short term, we have the potential to succeed. In the long term, I can guarantee we will be successful,”
After five months in charge, Black Queens, a source of national pride, are on the verge of losing their status after being exposed in their preparatory matches.
“We have quality players in the team, but I think we need more of them. The coaches have to widen their net to scout for more players in addition to what they have, Elizabeth Owusuaa and some others can make things work and I believe there will be a turnaround,” Joe Nana Adarkwah, Black Maidens Head Coach told the GNA Sports.
Under Björkegren, the Queens have lost three matches and recorded just a win in all five games played against Morocco, Senegal and Ivory Coast respectively.
While some say the technical staff should be given more time, others also believe five months is enough to get an already built team in shape for a major tournament ahead.
Selection concerns: overlooked talents
While the Black Queens have shown no shortage of attacking flair, their recent struggles can largely be traced to one area: a fragile backline. The team’s problem is not in scoring goals, but in stopping their opponents.
Coach Adarkwah believes the tactician is still new to the role and with limited time to prepare and little familiarity with the players he would understand their individual strengths and build tactical cohesion.
“The Coach is new to the girls so I can confidently say that whatever He is doing is going to help the team because without these friendly matches, he cannot see the performance of individual players”.
“We seem to have been a bit shaky in defending, and one key worry has to be about the right back position because we have not had any natural right back filling that space. In the last three or four games, we have seen Josephine Bonsu cover as a right back. She is a midfielder, so she is nowhere close to that position” Joy Sports Journalist Lawrence Baidoo told the GNA Sports.
“My worry is that if Björkegren wants to build a Black Queens team with new faces, then I am not sure of how we are going to see the Black Queens in the next two months or during WAFCON. If he is going to build on whatever Nora left, then I think we will make progress,” Sports Journalist Nana Adwoa Kwofie also poured out her frustrations.
The GFA’s DNA
The Ghana Football Association in July,2023 launched a football philosophy which aimed at developing the playing and coaching pattern of Ghana Football.
On the path of the Black Queens, the philosophy has been instrumental in the team’s growth. In the boardrooms, it has a perfect impact on the team ahead of the tournament, but on the pitch, there is a long way to go to make this dream a reality.
“We have been to the WAFCON before, even though this is a milestone because in five years we have not been there, qualifying alone is not enough.
This is the time to give the rest of Africa a showdown. Our best position has been second, but we have the quality in this team to become champions”, President Okraku said after the team’s qualification.
The Ghana Football Association remains committed in making sure the Black Queens will be adequately prepared for the competition ahead.
A future yet to unfold
With days left to commence the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, the technical staff of the Black Queens must act decisively and ensure the team is ready to take up the battle ahead.
Coach Kim Lar needs to make use of the talent available, cutting off experiments and making merit-based selections.
By qualifying, the Queens have already completed the difficult part. They can now do more than just participate; they can compete, motivate, and succeed off the field with the correct leadership.
“As a Ghanaian, I want the team to go past the Group Stage, but they have to do a lot of work that can push them and they will surely pass through”, Coach Adarkwah said.
Ghana, who sit 66th on the World Ranking, would face 2022 Champions South Africa in their opening game before taking on Mali and Tanzania respectively.
We are going, and indeed heaven knows we are going for the ultimate.
GNA