Ghana’s Black Queens have suffered a major setback at the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, but their hopes of reaching the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup are still alive.
The Black Queens were eliminated from the WAFCON after a disappointing 2–1 defeat to tournament debutants Malawi in their quarter-final clash on Sunday, August 9, in Morocco.
Ghana took an early lead through Chantelle Boye-Hlorkah, who found the back of the net in the seventh minute.
Malawi responded quickly, however, with captain Temwa Chawinga equalizing five minutes later.
The Black Queens appeared to have regained the lead after the break when Doris Boaduwaa scored, but the goal was ruled out following a VAR review.
With both sides pushing for the decisive goal, Malawi eventually found the breakthrough in the 79th minute through Rose Kadzere.
Ghana could not find a response before the final whistle, sending Malawi into the semi-finals and ending the Black Queens' hopes of an automatic World Cup place.
One more chance for Ghana
Despite the defeat, Ghana's World Cup campaign is not over.
The Black Queens have entered the WAFCON play-in stage, where they will face Côte d’Ivoire on Thursday, August 13.
The match has become a must-win encounter for Ghana, with a place in the next stage of the qualification process at stake.
The Black Queens therefore have little time to dwell on their quarter-final disappointment. Their immediate task is to regroup and prepare for another high-pressure contest against their West African neighbors.
Ghana's failure to reach the WAFCON semi-finals means they have missed the automatic qualification places awarded through the tournament's top finishers.
Malawi, meanwhile, have already written their names into African football history.
The Scorchers, competing at the Women's Africa Cup of Nations for the first time, defeated Ghana to reach the semi-finals and secured their maiden qualification for the Women's World Cup.
A defining week ahead
For the Black Queens, Thursday's encounter offers an opportunity to turn Sunday's disappointment into renewed hope.
Ghana will need to produce a much-improved performance against Côte d’Ivoire if they are to keep their World Cup ambitions on track.
The defeat to Malawi has undoubtedly increased the pressure on the team, but the door to Brazil 2027 remains open.
The Black Queens now have one objective: win on Thursday and stay alive in the race for the World Cup.
Match: Ghana vs Côte d’Ivoire
Date: Thursday, August 13, 2026
Competition: WAFCON World Cup Play-In
Stakes: 2027 FIFA Women's World Cup qualification
