The Black Queens have another opportunity to rescue their FIFA Women’s World Cup 2027 hopes when they face Côte d’Ivoire in a crucial WAFCON play-in encounter at the Larbi Zaouli Stadium in Casablanca on Thursday, August 13.
Ghana’s hopes of securing automatic qualification to the global showpiece in Brazil were dashed after their quarter-final defeat to Malawi, leaving the Black Queens with the difficult task of navigating the longer route. Now, victory over their West African neighbours is the only way to keep their World Cup dream alive.
The encounter, scheduled for 18:00 (16:00GMT), carries enormous significance for a Ghana side that finished third at the previous Women’s Africa Cup of Nations but fell short of their ambitions at this year’s tournament. With both teams desperate to extend their campaigns, the fixture has the feel of a final.
The winner will advance to the inter-confederation playoffs, where six teams from Africa, Asia, Oceania and South America will contest the preliminary phase at a centralised venue. The two best teams from that stage will then join sides from CONCACAF, South America and Europe in the final phase for places at the 2027 World Cup in Brazil.
For the Black Queens, however, Thursday’s encounter represents more than another competitive fixture. It is an opportunity for a generation of players to end Ghana’s long absence from the World Cup. Ghana last appeared at the global tournament in 2007 and have missed the subsequent four editions.
Black Queens Determined to Rewrite History
The current squad understands the weight of the occasion and believes it can change Ghana’s fortunes. Defender Josephine Bonsu admits the disappointment of missing automatic qualification still hurts, but insists the team can use the setback as motivation.
“We understand that this generation can turn things around. We are still making so many people proud with how we are performing. We know what we expect from ourselves. We won the bronze last year and we expected more from this edition. We had an opportunity that was so close to us – to qualify automatically, it hurts but we also know that we can do a lot for Ghana.”
Josephine Bonsu, Black Queens Defender
Head coach Kim Lars Bjökegren is equally conscious of what is at stake. Having watched his side fall short of the semi-finals, the Swedish tactician knows there is no room for another setback.
“We wish that we had played the semifinals but we are not. Now, we have to deal with Côte d’Ivoire to grab an opportunity to play at the World Cup. We have to prepare in the best way.”
Black Queens Head coach Kim Lars Bjökegren
The Black Queens will also draw confidence from their recent record against Côte d’Ivoire. Ghana defeated the Lady Elephants 1-0 in July, with Sharon Sampson scoring the decisive goal in the 75th minute at the Père-Jégo Stadium in Casablanca in the build up to the 2026 WAFCON .
That result followed a 3-3 draw between the sides in May 2025, although Côte d’Ivoire claimed a 1-0 victory in another meeting in June later that year. The closely contested recent encounters suggest little will separate the neighbours when the stakes are considerably higher.
Côte d’Ivoire To Provide a Stern Test
Côte d’Ivoire arrive wounded but dangerous. The Lady Elephants topped their group and scored eight goals, the highest tally in the group stage, before their progress was halted by Algeria in the quarter-finals.
Their defeat came after N’Sira Ouedraogo was sent off in the 42nd minute, forcing Côte d’Ivoire to play most of the match with 10 players.
Coach Reynald Pedros believes his players have recovered from the disappointment and remain focused on reaching the World Cup. “The quarterfinal result was hard on us and we needed some time to adapt to our new reality. I know the potential of this group. I am a very optimistic person and I know that we can turn things around,” Pedros said.
His captain Bernadette Amani Kakounan added that the team is determined to reward its supporters. “We have been handed another opportunity to go to the World Cup. We shall do everything possible to win this game and make our fans happy back home.”
Ghana’s record against West African opposition at the WAFCON offers another source of encouragement. The Black Queens have won five, drawn five and lost four of their 14 previous meetings against teams from the region, remaining unbeaten in their last three such encounters.
But past records will count for little on Thursday. For the Black Queens, the equation is brutally simple: win, and the road to Brazil remains open; lose, and another World Cup dream disappears.
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