The Black Queens continued their preparations for the 2026 TotalEnergies Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) with a goalless draw against Tanzania in an international friendly played in Casablanca on Monday.
The match formed part of Ghana’s final build-up to the continental championship, which begins this weekend in Morocco, as head coach Kim Lars Björkegren continues to fine tune his squad ahead of the tournament.
Although the Black Queens were unable to find the back of the net, they dominated possession for long periods and created the better chances against a disciplined Tanzanian side that defended resolutely throughout the contest.
The result also came as Ghana strengthened its technical department with the appointment of Swedish performance analyst James Slaughter as the team’s new Video Analyst, adding further expertise to the backroom staff as the Black Queens pursue their first-ever WAFCON title.
Black Queens Show Promise Despite Stalemate
Ghana looked the more enterprising side from the opening whistle, controlling the tempo of the game with confident passing and sustained attacking pressure. The Black Queens moved the ball effectively through midfield and repeatedly tested Tanzania’s defensive organisation, but the breakthrough proved elusive.
Björkegren used the second half to assess his squad, making several substitutions to maintain intensity and evaluate different player combinations before the tournament gets underway.
Despite Ghana’s continued dominance after the restart, Tanzania remained compact at the back and successfully frustrated the Black Queens’ attacking efforts to ensure the encounter finished without goals.
While the game did not produce a winner, the friendly offered another valuable opportunity for the Ghana coaching staff to assess player fitness, sharpen tactical approaches and build cohesion ahead of what promises to be a demanding tournament.
Swedish Analyst Joins Technical Team
In another significant boost to Ghana’s preparations, the Ghana Football Association has appointed Swedish performance analyst James Slaughter as the Black Queens’ new Video Analyst.
Slaughter arrives with extensive experience from Swedish giants Malmö, where he began his journey in performance analysis at just 16 years old by recording matches before steadily rising through the ranks to become the club’s Head of Performance Analysis.
Speaking after his appointment, the Swedish analyst described the opportunity to represent Ghana as a major honour.
“I love working in football and being part of a team. Representing a country, especially a beautiful country like Ghana, is one of the biggest honours you can have.”
James Slaughter, Performance Analyst
He revealed that former colleagues who had previously worked with Ghana’s national teams spoke highly of the country’s football culture, encouraging him to embrace the new challenge.
As Video Analyst, Slaughter will record training sessions and matches while supporting the coaching staff with detailed performance reviews. His responsibilities also include analysing opponents and identifying tactical trends that could provide Ghana with an edge during the competition.
He believes the role of performance analysis is increasingly important in modern football.
“In football, the margins are very small. Video analysis is about finding that extra two or three percent that can make the difference. Ultimately, though, it’s the players who win the games.”
James Slaughter
Eyes on Historic WAFCON Triumph
The Black Queens head into the 2026 WAFCON determined to build on their impressive performance at the previous edition, where they finished third to equal one of their best-ever results at the tournament.
With confidence growing under Björkegren and a strengthened technical team now in place, Ghana will be aiming to go one step further by winning the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations for the first time in the country’s history.
Ghana have been drawn in Group C alongside South Africa, Mali and Cape Verde, a group expected to test the Black Queens from the opening round.
Slaughter acknowledged that preparing for relatively unfamiliar opponents such as Cape Verde presents unique challenges but believes thorough analysis can help the team maximise its chances. “We’ll work until the very last percent. We’ll work day and night to make the people of Ghana proud and create good results and unforgettable memories,” he said.
With the tournament set to kick off this weekend, Ghana will hope the encouraging signs shown in Casablanca, combined with the addition of specialised analytical support behind the scenes, provide the platform for a memorable WAFCON campaign and a genuine challenge for continental glory.
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