Ghana’s senior women’s national football team, the Black Queens, concluded a training camp in Accra this week, focusing on preparations for the upcoming Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) despite facing challenges in securing international friendly matches against other national teams. Head coach Kim Lars Bjorkegren emphasized the positive aspects of the camp, held after the team withdrew from a planned three-nation tournament in Tanzania.
Adapting Preparations
The decision to withdraw from the Tanzanian tournament meant the Black Queens had to recalibrate their WAFCON preparation strategy. Instead of international opposition, the team engaged in practice matches against local Ghanaian sides. This included a match against Ampem Darkoa Ladies, the reigning Ghanaian women’s champions, and an Under-15 boys’ select team from Greater Accra.
Coach Bjorkegren acknowledged the preference for facing other national teams, stating, “We preferred to play against a national team, but we found out we couldn’t do it.” However, he highlighted the team’s ability to adapt and make the best of the available circumstances.
Benefits of the Camp
Despite the lack of international friendlies, Bjorkegren viewed the Accra camp as highly beneficial. He pointed out the importance of the players, many of whom play professionally abroad, being together in Ghana. “I see this camp as very positive in the preparations for the WAFCON,” he remarked.
The camp provided an opportunity for team cohesion and acclimatization. “Also, we haven’t been in Ghana that much, so I felt it was a great opportunity for the players to be here, especially because the biggest part of the group play abroad,” Bjorkegren explained. He added that experiencing local life, including “Ghanaian food,” contributed to the overall positive experience.
WAFCON Focus
The Black Queens are gearing up for the WAFCON, a crucial continental championship that also serves as a qualifier for the FIFA Women’s World Cup. The team’s performance in this tournament will determine their qualification for the global stage.
The current training regime is designed to fine-tune the squad’s tactics, build physical fitness, and foster team chemistry ahead of the demanding WAFCON schedule. The matches against local clubs, while not ideal, provided valuable game time and allowed the coaching staff to assess player performance and identify areas for improvement.
Next Steps
The Black Queens were scheduled to break camp on Tuesday, June 9. Their next phase of preparation will involve reassembling next month for a pre-tournament training camp in Morocco, the host nation for WAFCON. This upcoming camp is expected to intensify their readiness for the competitive environment of the continental finals.
The team’s ability to adapt their training approach in the face of logistical challenges underscores the commitment to achieving success at WAFCON. The focus now shifts to the Morocco camp, where the final preparations will take place before the tournament commences.
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