Vice President, Professor Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang, extended her congratulations to the national women’s football team, the Black Queens, following their dramatic quarterfinal victory over Algeria in the ongoing Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Morocco.
In a social media post on Sunday, the Vice President praised the team for their resilience and determination after advancing to the semifinals for the first time in nearly a decade. Ghana secured the win with a 4-2 penalty shootout victory, following a goalless draw in regulation and extra time at the Stade Mohamed V in Casablanca.
“A big congratulations to our Black Queens for their remarkable victory over Algeria to secure a spot in the Women’s AFCON semi-finals,” Prof. Opoku-Agyemang wrote. “As they prepare to face Morocco, we salute their resilience and urge them to keep pushing. The whole nation is behind you. The dream is alive.”
The match saw both teams locked in a tense tactical standoff. Ghana thought it had taken the lead in the first half with a strike from Stella Nyamekye, but the goal was ruled out following a VAR review. Ghana’s forward line—featuring Doris Boaduwaa, Chantelle Boye-Hlorkah, and Evelyn Badu—pushed for a breakthrough but was repeatedly denied by Algeria’s disciplined defense, anchored by goalkeeper Chloé N’Gazi.
In the penalty shootout, Ghana’s goalkeeper Cynthia Konlan emerged as the standout performer, saving two spot kicks to secure the Black Queens' passage to the final four. Goals from Boaduwaa, Boye-Hlorkah, Badu, and Josephine Bonsu proved decisive as Ghana advanced with a 4-2 win.
The semifinal appearance marks Ghana’s eighth in WAFCON history, but their first since 2016. The team, led by Swedish head coach Kim Björkegren, now faces host nation Morocco, last year’s runners-up, in what promises to be a high-stakes encounter.
A win would send Ghana to the tournament final for the first time since 2006 and move them within reach of their long-sought first WAFCON title.
Despite consistent appearances in the latter stages of the competition, Ghana has yet to claim the championship—a gap the team is hoping to close this year amid growing national support and heightened expectations.
