Ghana’s Black Queens have kept their hopes of qualifying for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup alive after coming from behind to defeat Côte d’Ivoire 2-1 in Casablanca on Thursday.
The victory secured Ghana a place in the inter-confederation play-offs for the 2027 Women’s World Cup in Brazil, providing another route to the global tournament after the team missed out on automatic qualification through the WAFCON quarter-finals.
Côte d’Ivoire made the brighter start at the Larbi Zaouli Stadium, taking the lead as early as the fourth minute.
Ines Konan converted from the penalty spot to give the Lady Elephants a 1-0 advantage and leave Ghana with an early uphill task.
The Black Queens gradually settled into the contest but went into the break still trailing, with both sides picking up yellow cards during a physical first half. Ghana were also forced into a change shortly before the interval, with Evelyn Badu replacing the injured Doris Boaduwaa.
Ghana returned from the break with renewed intensity and were rewarded in the 59th minute when Princess Marfo found the equaliser to bring the score level at 1-1.
The comeback was completed 13 minutes later.
The Black Queens were awarded a penalty in the 72nd minute, and Josephine Bonsu stepped up to convert and put Ghana 2-1 ahead.
Côte d’Ivoire responded by making changes in search of an equaliser, but Ghana held firm through a tense closing period to secure a crucial victory.
Late substitutions, including the introduction of Sharon Sampson, Alice Sarpong and Linda Owusu, helped Ghana manage the final stages as they protected their narrow advantage.
The result means the Black Queens advance to the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2027 inter-confederation play-offs, where they will continue their pursuit of a place at the tournament in Brazil.
The play-in was organised to determine the two African teams that would progress to the six-team preliminary round of the inter-confederation play-off tournament.
For Ghana, the victory represents a major boost after their quarter-final exit at the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations and keeps alive their ambition of returning to the Women’s World Cup for the first time since 2007.
The Black Queens previously appeared at three consecutive editions of the tournament in 1999, 2003 and 2007 but have missed the last four editions.
Côte d’Ivoire, meanwhile, have seen their hopes of returning to the Women’s World Cup end after the defeat. The Lady Elephants’ only previous appearance at the tournament came in 2015.
For Kim Lars Björkegren’s side, however, the mission continues.
Having conceded inside four minutes, Ghana showed resilience to turn the game around, secure a 2-1 victory and move one step closer to ending their long wait for another Women’s World Cup appearance.
