WAFCON 2024: Ghana’s Chantelle Boye-Hlorkah relishes Ghana’s qualification to the quarterfinals

Ghana’s Black Queens are through to the quarter-finals of the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations — a dramatic turnaround for a team that came perilously close to early elimination. At the heart of that resurgence stands Chantelle Boye-Hlorkah, whose tactical versatility and calm authority have been central to Ghana’s charge into the knockout stage.

The 4-1 win over Tanzania not only confirmed Ghana’s place in the last eight but also solidified Boye-Hlorkah’s reputation as the midfield metronome driving the team’s success. In a campaign defined by adaptability and resilience, her performance was the clearest example yet of what makes the Black Queens quietly dangerous.

Deployed in various roles across the group stage — from wide midfield to central pivot — the 19-year-old has been a model of consistency and discipline. Against Tanzania, however, she stepped into a deeper central role, dictating the tempo, breaking up opposition play, and orchestrating Ghana’s attacking movements with a poise that belied her age.

“I love playing on the wing, but being at the centre of the game suits me,” Boye-Hlorkah said after the match. “I’m just happy I can contribute wherever the team needs me.”

In that deeper role, her influence was undeniable. With her assured first touch, quick decision-making, and unerring ability to find space, Boye-Hlorkah linked defence and attack seamlessly. Her awareness off the ball allowed her to intercept passes and launch quick transitions, keeping Tanzania constantly on the back foot.

It was this all-round performance — capped by a late goal — that earned her the player of the match award. But perhaps more telling than her technical display was her leadership on the pitch. Constantly communicating, encouraging, and directing teammates, she played with the authority of a veteran and the urgency of someone with everything still to prove.

“I told the girls before the game: we win this as a team or not at all,” she revealed. “I’m proud of how everyone stepped up.”

Her humility stood out just as much as her footballing prowess. While many were quick to praise her for turning the tide of the match, she deflected the spotlight back onto the collective.

“Tonight, it was the team that carried me,” she added with a smile.

Boye-Hlorkah’s rise has been a revelation for head coach Kim Björkegren, who has relied heavily on her ability to adapt to different systems mid-game — a rare trait in tournament football. With each passing match, her importance to Ghana’s structure becomes more evident.

The Black Queens’ qualification for the quarter-finals marks their first appearance at this stage of WAFCON since 2016. For a side that failed to qualify for the last edition, their resurgence is more than symbolic — it is tangible progress, driven by a core of young players who are rewriting the narrative of Ghanaian women’s football.

As Ghana now turns its attention to the quarter-finals, the hopes of a nation rest on players like Boye-Hlorkah — not just for her skill, but for her clarity of thought and commitment to team ethos.

If the Black Queens are to mount a serious challenge for their maiden WAFCON title, their midfield general will be central to the mission. In Chantelle Boye-Hlorkah, Ghana may have found not only a rising star, but a leader built for the big stage.