Björkegren: Black Queens ready for toughest test against England

Black Queens head coach Kim Lars Björkegren has acknowledged the scale of the challenge awaiting Ghana when they face European champions England in an international friendly at St. Mary’s Stadium, Southampton, on Tuesday at 19:00 GMT.

Speaking to the Ghana FA website, Björkegren admitted the Lionesses represent one of the toughest opponents in world football but stressed that Ghana have the qualities to compete:

“We’re jumping into deep water to see if we can swim against the best team in the world. It’s going to be really tough, and we need to understand that. But we also know we have some qualities.”

Measuring Progress

The Swedish coach described the match as a vital benchmark for Ghana’s development:

• “Games like this are potentially the most difficult in the world right now. Away against England, they will challenge us for sure.”


• “We’re going to see how good we are, but also what we need to do better to climb the FIFA rankings and remain one of the top teams in Africa.”

• The Black Queens warmed up with a 3-1 victory over Aston Villa Women in a closed-door friendly.


• Björkegren has emphasized the importance of testing his squad against elite opposition as part of preparations for the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Morocco.

Bigger Picture

This fixture offers Ghana:

• A chance to measure themselves against one of the world’s best.


• An opportunity to sharpen tactical discipline and resilience.


• A confidence-building step toward their continental ambitions.