The Black Queens of Ghana wrapped up their nine-day training tour in Senegal with a bittersweet finale, falling 1-0 to the Teranga Lionesses in their second international friendly match in Dakar.
Despite a spirited and gritty performance that showcased their resilience, the Queens couldn’t convert their chances, leaving the pitch with a sense of disappointment tempered by the promise of growth.
The solitary goal, a late second-half strike born from a rare defensive lapse, underscored the razor-thin margins that define success at this level and handed Senegal a hard-fought victory.
The tour had begun on a high note just days earlier, with Ghana edging out the Lionesses 1-0 in the first friendly. That match saw Evelyn Badu rise to the occasion, nodding in a pinpoint cross from Princess Marfo to secure the win. The triumph came despite adversity, as Anesthesia Achiaa’s red card in the 63rd minute left the Queens a player short.
Their ability to hold firm with ten players spoke volumes about their determination and tactical discipline, qualities that head coach Kim Lars Björkegren has been working tirelessly to instill.
However, the second encounter flipped the script. Senegal, eager to level the scoreline in front of their home crowd, capitalized on a momentary breakdown in Ghana’s backline. The Teranga Lionesses’ goal, a clinical finish after a swift counterattack, silenced the Black Queens’ hopes of returning home undefeated.
Though the loss stung, it offered a sobering lesson in the importance of maintaining focus across all 90 minutes—a lesson that will resonate as the team gears up for the TotalEnergies Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON).
The Senegal training camp, meticulously planned by Björkegren and his technical staff, was always about more than just results. The two friendlies, coupled with intense training sessions, provided a rigorous test of the squad’s match fitness, cohesion, and adaptability.
Facing a formidable side like Senegal—known for their physicality and tactical nous—exposed both strengths and areas for improvement.
The first game highlighted the Queens’ ability to grind out a result under pressure, while the second revealed vulnerabilities that must be addressed before the continental showdown.
As the team boards their flight back to Accra, there’s a quiet confidence beneath the disappointment. The nine days in Senegal have sharpened their resolve and given Björkegren a clearer picture of his squad’s capabilities. Evelyn Badu’s goal-scoring instincts, Princess Marfo’s creativity, and the team’s resolve after Achiaa’s dismissal are all positives to build on.
A defensive slip in the second match serves as a stark reminder that even small errors can prove costly against top-tier opposition.
With WAFCON looming on the horizon, the Black Queens now turn their focus to refining their strategies and bolstering their consistency.
The tournament, a crucible for Africa’s finest women’s teams, will demand nothing less than perfection. For Ghana, a nation with a proud footballing heritage, the goal is clear: to reclaim their status among the continent’s elite by winning its first WAFCON trophy.
The Senegal tour, with its highs and lows, has laid a critical foundation—one that Björkegren and his players will hope to build upon as they chase glory in the months ahead.
