Head coach Kim Lars Bjorkegren has confirmed a 25-player Ghana squad for the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, combining established Black Queens regulars with a group of emerging talents rewarded for their form in recent camps and friendlies.
The announcement comes after several weeks of intensive preparation, during which Bjorkegren and his staff assessed options across multiple training camps and international warm-up matches ahead of the continental tournament.
Captain Portia Boakye will again lead the side and is one of the most experienced figures in the squad. She is joined by key midfield presence Grace Asantewaa, goalkeeper Cynthia Findiib Konlan and influential players Jennifer Cudjoe, Doris Boaduwaa and Chantelle Boye-Hlorkah, all of whom are expected to play central roles in Ghana’s campaign.
Blend of experience and youth
Bjorkegren has opted for a balance of seasoned internationals and younger players who have impressed during the build-up to the competition. The coaching staff were particularly encouraged by how several of the less experienced squad members performed in training and in international friendlies arranged as part of their preparation.
The selection underlines a strategy aimed at maintaining a strong core of regulars while integrating the next generation of Black Queens into a major tournament environment.
Among the notable inclusions are Sharon Sampson of Petea IF and Abena Anoma Opoku of East Bengal FC, both of whom have done enough in recent months to convince the technical team they can contribute at Women’s AFCON level.
The squad also features highly rated youngster Linda Owusu Ansah, a standout performer for Ghana’s Under-20 side, the Black Princesses. Her call-up highlights the pathway from youth level into the senior national team and reflects the coaching staff’s confidence in her potential to make an impact on the bigger stage.
Final squad locked in for 2026 campaign
Bjorkegren’s decision to finalise a 25-player list at this stage gives Ghana clarity as they continue their build-up to the 2026 tournament. Every player named is now competing for a place in the starting line-up and for prominent roles throughout the competition.
While the focus remains on tactical refinement and squad cohesion in the remaining preparation period, the naming of the official list marks a significant milestone in Ghana’s bid to mount a strong challenge at the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations.
The Black Queens will rely on the leadership of Boakye, the creativity and drive of players such as Asantewaa and Cudjoe, and the goal threat of Boaduwaa and Boye-Hlorkah, alongside contributions from newcomers like Sampson, Opoku and Owusu Ansah, as they look to translate weeks of hard work into a successful continental campaign.
