Ghana’s Black Queens have been knocked out of the 2026 TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations after suffering a 2-1 defeat to Malawi in the quarterfinals.
The result ended Ghana’s hopes of securing direct qualification to the FIFA Women’s World Cup through the tournament, although the team still has another opportunity to reach the global competition through the playoffs.
The Black Queens made an impressive start to the quarterfinal clash, taking the lead in the seventh minute through Chantelle Boye-Hlorkah.
Ghana’s early advantage, however, did not last long as Malawi gradually grew into the game. The She-Flames equalised in the 27th minute through their influential forward Temwa Chawinga.
The two sides went into the break level at 1-1, setting up a tense second half.
Ghana returned from the interval determined to regain the lead and appeared to have found the breakthrough when Doris Boaduwaa put the ball into the net.
Her goal, however, was disallowed following a Video Assistant Referee (VAR) review, leaving the Black Queens frustrated.
Malawi took advantage of the situation and eventually scored the decisive goal in the 79th minute. Rose Smith Kadzere found the back of the net to put the She-Flames 2-1 ahead.
Ghana increased the pressure in the closing stages in search of an equaliser, but Malawi’s defence remained firm and successfully protected its advantage until the final whistle.
The defeat is a major setback for coach Kim Lars Björkegren and his players, who had hoped to use the WAFCON as a pathway to securing Ghana’s first World Cup qualification in two decades.
However, the Black Queens’ World Cup dream remains alive.
Ghana will now enter the playoff stage, where it will face West African rivals Ivory Coast on Thursday in a crucial eliminator.
Victory in the playoff will keep Ghana’s hopes of qualifying for the FIFA Women’s World Cup alive and give the Black Queens another chance to reach the global showpiece.
