Black Queens captain Portia Boakye has praised her teammates for their fighting spirit at the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), but insists the team must remain focused on securing a place at the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup.

Ghana secured their place in the knockout stage after navigating a tough Group D campaign, with Boakye acknowledging the difficulty of playing three demanding group matches and collecting the results needed to advance.

According to the experienced defender, the Black Queens must continue to work hard as they target a deep run in the competition and, more importantly, qualification for the Women’s World Cup.

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“It’s not easy to play three games and win the matches, but you have to fight for it. The group is tough, so you have to work hard,” Boakye said.

The Black Queens captain also expressed confidence in her ability to lead Ghana into the decisive stages of the tournament, insisting that she is not intimidated by the pressure that comes with captaining the national team.

“As a captain, you have to be confident. As a leader, you have to show that you are a leader. You have to fight for it and lead the team,” she added.

Boakye further called for unity, respect and determination within the squad as Ghana prepares for the knockout stages, where the stakes will be even higher.

“You have to show unity, respect and determination. Sometimes, footballers have to be strong,” she said.

Black Queens captain Portia Boakye hails her teammates but remains focused on securing Women's World Cup ticket at WAFCON.#SportyFM pic.twitter.com/z6X75EIGbl

— SportyFM Ghana (@SportyFM_) August 7, 2026