Ghana vs Cape Verde Women WAFCON Preview
Ghana begin the quest for their first-ever Women’s Africa Cup of Nations title as they face Cape Verde in their opening Group D fixture.
The Black Queens have the experience and superior quality, and should be too strong for their rivals.
Key Stats
- Ghana are unbeaten in nine of their last 10 matches in all competitions.
- Ghana have won to nil in five of their last six matches in all competitions.
- Cape Verde have failed to win six of their last seven matches in all competitions.
- Cape Verde have lost five of their last seven matches in all competitions.
- Cape Verde have failed to score in six of their last seven matches in all competitions.
No Previous Meetings
This will be the first ever meeting between Ghana and Cape Verde.
Ghana Seeking Glory
Ghana are yet to win the WAFCON but are considered one of the major players in women's football in Africa. They have had three second-place finishes and claimed a bronze medal in the previous edition.
The build-up to the tournament has been smooth for Ghana as they are unbeaten in nine of their last 10 matches. Kim Bjorkegren’s team have picked up seven wins in this run, including a 4-0 victory over Malawi in their final warm-up game.
While that win highlighted Ghana's attacking prowess, their defence has also caught the eye in recent times. They have kept clean sheets in eight of their last 10 matches in all competitions.
Cape Verde Set for WAFCON Debut
Women's football in Cape Verde is a recent development, with the country only establishing a female team in 2018. They did not enter the 2022 edition and failed to qualify in 2024.
Cape Verde’s inexperience at this level has been glaring in their recent fixtures as they have lost five of their last seven matches in all competitions. They were thrashed 5-0 by Morocco in their final warm-up game.
Goal scoring has been a major problem for Cape Verde, who have failed to find the net in six of their last seven matches in all competitions. They also suffer one-sided defeats, with a 3-0 loss to Ivory Coast among their recent results.
Team News and Predicted Line-ups
Ghana (3-4-3): Cynthia Konlan; Susan Duah, Portia Boakye, Josephine Bonsu; Comfort Yeboah, Jennifer Cudjoe, Grace Asantewaa, Alice Kusi; Stella Nyamekye, Chantelle Boye-Hlorkah, Doris Boaduwaa.
Boaduwaa scored a hat-trick in Ghana's final warm-up game and should lead the line on Wednesday. Cudjoe should start in midfield while Boakye is set to feature at the back.
Cape Verde (4-3-3): Jacinta Rodrigues; Alivia Kelly, Eleia Vieira, Jenifer Santos, Ledina Semedo; Maisa Cardoso, Sylviane Gomes, Alicone Gomes; Ivania Moreira, Yeiza Rodrigues, Luriane Afonso.
Cape Verde have no injuries heading into their opening fixture and could start with Kelly in defence. Rodrigues and Luriane should feature in attack.