(DDM) — Ghana’s national women’s football team, the Black Queens, took a decisive step toward qualification for the 2026 CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) with an emphatic 3-0 victory over Egypt in Ismaila on Wednesday night.
Diaspora Digital Media (DDM) gathered that the win marked one of the Queens’ most dominant away performances in recent years, as they outclassed the Egyptian side in both attack and defense to gain a commanding first-leg advantage in the final qualifying round.
From kickoff, the Black Queens demonstrated their tactical superiority, controlling possession and dictating the rhythm of the game through quick passes and aggressive pressing.
Their intent to dominate was clear as they forced Egypt onto the defensive for most of the first half.
The breakthrough came in the 42nd minute, when Doris Boaduwaa clinically converted a well-timed cross, sending Ghana into the lead just before halftime. Her goal rewarded the Queens’ relentless pressure and composure in the attacking third.
Egypt struggled to match Ghana’s intensity after the break, as the visitors continued to impose themselves with strong defensive coordination and fluid counterattacks led by Grace Asantewaa and Mary Amponsah.
In the 85th minute, Mary Amponsah doubled the lead, capitalizing on a defensive lapse from Egypt’s backline to slot home a low drive past the goalkeeper.
The goal further silenced the home crowd and sealed Ghana’s growing dominance.
Just five minutes later, Grace Asantewaa added the icing on the cake with a precise finish in the 90th minute, making it 3-0 and confirming Ghana’s superiority on the night.
Her late strike capped off a commanding display that left Egypt with a mountain to climb in the return leg.
Coach Nora Hauptle, who has been praised for revitalizing the team since taking charge, expressed delight at her players’ performance and discipline.
She described the win as “a statement victory,” emphasizing that the team’s goal remains not just qualification, but to re-establish Ghana as one of Africa’s elite women’s football powers.
“This victory shows the work we’ve put in as a team,” Hauptle said. “We respected Egypt, but we played our game, with purpose, passion, and precision. The job isn’t done yet, but this is a very good step forward.”
Ghana’s performance also earned praise from football analysts, who highlighted the team’s improved fitness, technical balance, and mental strength, areas that had been questioned in previous campaigns.
Meanwhile, Egypt’s coach, Mohamed Salah El-Dali, admitted his side was second-best throughout the contest, vowing to make tactical adjustments before the return fixture in Accra.
The Black Queens, four-time WAFCON finalists, have not won the continental title despite consistent performances in past editions.
Their last qualification came in 2022, where they narrowly missed the semi-finals after a controversial VAR decision against Nigeria.
With the 3-0 lead, Ghana is now well-placed to seal qualification when they host Egypt in the second leg next week in Accra.
A draw or even a one-goal loss would be enough to see them through to the 2026 WAFCON tournament, to be held in Morocco.
The result also reaffirms Ghana’s rising momentum under Hauptle’s leadership, with the team now unbeaten in their last six competitive matches.
Fans across Ghana have expressed optimism that the Queens could end their long trophy drought, with many calling this “a new dawn for women’s football in Ghana.”
As the team prepares for the decisive return leg, confidence is sky-high, and their 3-0 triumph in Egypt may go down as the turning point in their quest for continental glory.
