WAFCON 2024: Ghana's Black Queens back in the mix, but can they go all the way?

In the early days of women’s football in Africa, Ghana and Nigeria stood as the continent’s dominant forces. Between them, they contested three of the first five Women’s Africa Cup of Nations finals, all of which were won by Nigeria’s Super Falcons.

The year 2006 and the fifth of those finals marked a turning point. It was to be Nigeria's last title in their winning streak - and also marked the last appearance by Ghana’s Black Queens in the WAFCON title game decider. While Nigeria went on to extend their dominance, adding four more titles since then, Ghana have steadily slipped down the pecking order.

Yet, at one point, the signs had looked promising. Ghana qualified for three consecutive FIFA Women’s World Cups in 1999, 2003 and 2007, while the country’s men’s team, the Black Stars, made their World Cup debut in 2006. At the time, there was a sense that continental success was only a matter of time.

But football rarely follows the script. While Nigeria continued to build on their legacy, Ghana’s momentum stalled. They have not returned to the final WAFCON final since 2006 and have been overtaken by the likes of South Africa and Equatorial Guinea, both of whom have gone on to lift the trophy.

Twice, the Black Queens have failed to qualify for a competition that once seemed like a certainty.

Now, after years in the wilderness, Ghana are back among Africa’s elite. They are competing once more for a title that, despite their proud history, has always eluded them. For a team still chasing its first WAFCON crown, the journey is as much about redemption as it is ambition.

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