Ivory Coast W vs Ghana W

Ghana's Black Queens began their preparations for the 2026 TotalEnergies Women's Africa Cup of Nations with a narrow 1-0 victory over Ivory Coast in a behind-closed-doors friendly at Stade Père Jego in Casablanca on 14 July.

How it unfolded

The first half ended goalless, with both sides trading chances in a tightly contested opening period. The deadlock was broken in the 75th minute when forward Sharon Sampson found the net for Ghana, steering home what proved to be the only goal of the match. The Ghana FA described the strike as a deserved winner, noting the team's discipline and resilience at both ends of the pitch.

The turning point

Sampson's 75th-minute intervention was the decisive moment in an otherwise balanced encounter. The goal came from a delivery that caught the Ivory Coast defence off guard — the forward's finish gave the Black Queens a lead they would protect through the final quarter of the game.

Key performers

Sharon Sampson was the match-winner, scoring the only goal and showing composure in a game that offered few clear-cut chances. The Black Queens' defensive unit also deserves credit for keeping a clean sheet against an Ivory Coast side that created opportunities of their own across the 90 minutes.

What it means

The friendly was the first of several warm-up matches for Ghana as they prepare for the 2026 WAFCON, which runs from 26 July to 16 August in Morocco. The Black Queens are drawn in Group D alongside Cameroon, Mali and debutants Cape Verde. The top two teams from each group advance to the quarter-finals, with the four semi-finalists qualifying for the 2027 FIFA Women's World Cup in Brazil.

By the numbers

The match was played behind closed doors, limiting the available statistical data. However, the 1-0 scoreline reflects a game in which both defences held firm for long periods, with Sampson's moment of quality proving the difference.

Verdict

A workmanlike start to Ghana's pre-tournament programme. The Black Queens found a way to win without being at their sharpest, which is precisely the kind of result that builds momentum heading into a major tournament. Ivory Coast, meanwhile, will take encouragement from a disciplined defensive display that kept them in the game until the final 15 minutes.