Mercy Tagoe predicts Black Queens will beat Mali to reach WAFCON quarters

Former Ghana coach Mercy Tagoe believes the Black Queens will secure WAFCON 2026 qualification by defeating Mali in their decisive Group D match.

Former Black Queens head coach Mercy Tagoe believes Ghana will defeat Mali to secure a place in the 2026 Women's Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) quarter-finals. The Group D encounter takes place in Rabat on Thursday.

Ghana enters the match with a record of one win and one loss from their first two fixtures. The Black Queens opened their tournament with a 2-0 win against Cape Verde but later lost 1-0 to Cameroon.

The upcoming match serves as a decisive moment for both sides. A draw will be sufficient for Ghana to progress to the knockout stage, whereas Mali must secure a victory to advance.

Tagoe, who currently coaches Oaks FC, expressed her confidence in the squad's ability to overcome Mali. She noted that the team possesses the necessary experience and quality to succeed in this crucial game.

The former coach also highlighted the motivation available to the players. She suggested that the desire to return to the FIFA Women's World Cup after several years should drive the team forward.

Tagoe also voiced her support for head coach Kim Lars Bjørgekren. She believes the current manager will implement the correct strategy to ensure Ghana overcomes Mali and continues in the competition.