2026 WAFCON: We need to play our game against Malawi – Black Queens coach Kim Lars

Man in a light gray suit and black shirt sits at a microphone during a press conference, with a purple sponsor backdrop behind him.

By Jamaldeen Wiayuka August 8, 2026

Ghana head coach Kim Lars Björkegren has called on the Black Queens to strike the right balance between defensive discipline and attacking ambition when they take on Malawi in the WAFCON 2026 quarter-finals on Sunday.

The match in Rabat is about more than a place in the last four. Victory would also secure Ghana an automatic qualification spot at the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil, a tournament the Black Queens have not reached for 20 years.

Ghana booked their place in the quarter-finals after finishing second in Group D, while Malawi topped Group C after producing one of the biggest shocks of the tournament by beating defending champions Nigeria.

The Scorchers will pose a significant threat, particularly through the Chawinga sisters, whose pace and attacking ability have made them one of Malawi’s most dangerous weapons.

But Björkegren is adamant that Ghana cannot afford to spend the entire game sitting deep.

“We can’t just defend with 11 players against Malawi,” the Swedish coach said.

“We need a balance and also to believe in ourselves to keep the ball in the team and convert our chances. We need to play our game.”

Ghana can take some confidence from their 4-0 victory over Malawi in a pre-tournament friendly.

However, Björkegren is aware that result may offer little indication of what to expect on Sunday, with Malawi fielding a significantly changed line-up in that meeting.

The Black Queens will therefore have to produce another disciplined performance while showing enough attacking intent to trouble a Malawi side that has already demonstrated its ability to upset the odds.

For Ghana, the stakes could hardly be higher.

After two decades away from the Women’s World Cup, the Black Queens are now just one victory away from returning to the global stage.

And Björkegren believes the route to that goal is clear: defend as a team, keep possession and, above all, have the courage to play their own football.