The Black Queens of Ghana concluded their nine-day training tour in Senegal with a gritty yet disappointing 1-0 loss to the Teranga Lionesses in their second international friendly.

Despite a commendable display, the Queens came up short, unable to find the back of the net as Senegal seized on a defensive slip-up to snatch victory in Dakar. 

The solitary goal in the second half served as a harsh reminder of the fine margins between success and failure, leaving the Black Queens with valuable lessons to absorb as they fine-tune their preparations for the upcoming TotalEnergies Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON).

The two friendlies played during their training camp will undoubtedly prove beneficial as the team returns home to refine their strategies ahead of the tournament. 

Although the defeat is a setback, the intense matches and training sessions in Senegal have provided the head coach Kim Lars Björkegren and his technical team with crucial insights into the team’s match fitness and tactical awareness.

Ghana won the first game 1-0 after Evelyn Badu headed home a beautiful cross from Princess Marfo, despite being a player down following Anesthesia Achiaa’s red card in the 63rd minute.

This marks Ghana’s first appearance at the CAF African Schools Football Championship continental finals having fallen short of qualification in the 2023-24 season where they were edged by Togo in the finals.

The Ghanaians, who automatically qualify as hosts, were exceptional in during the WAFU B qualifiers where they went finished as champions following their victory over Benin in the qualifiers held in Niamey, Niger.

They head into the finals as one of the tournament’s strong favourites who will be looking at making a good impression in front of their local fans in Accra.

Their qualification came as a result of them emerging victorious against equally strong competition from Cote d’Ivoire, who finished third, as well as second-placed Benin, who will be the second WAFU B side to represent the WAFU B zone at the continental finals this year.

The tournament will also be an exciting opportunity for their star player, Acquah Ignatus Gyril to shine in front of her home fans. Gyril finished as top goalscorer with three goals at the WAFU B qualifiers.

Record at the CAF African Schools Football Championship continental finals: 2022-23: Did not qualify 2023-24: Did not qualify 

Record at the CAF African Schools Football Championship WAFU B zonal finals:

2022-23: Group Stages

2023-24: Runners-Up

2024-25: Winners

Swedru All Blacks maintained their advantage on top of the Zone Two league table with a crucial 2-1 win at Bekwai Heroes.

Rudolf Mensah scored the first goal for Swedru All Blacks in the 27th minute, (his 19^th goal of the season), but Michael Owusu responded with a lovely goal in the 47th minute for Bekwai Heroes, while Ernest Ofori netted a stunner in the 68th minute to help Swedru All Blacks grab all the spoils.

The Ozii Ozaa lads are on top of the table in Zone Two with 51 points – one point ahead of second place Sekondi Rospak FC.

Sekondi Rospak SC’s league title hopes received a huge boost with a 3-1 win against former Premier League side Cape Coast Mysterious Dwarfs at Akoon Park on Sunday.

 John Amoah gave Sekondi Rospak SC an early lead just three minutes after kickoff, while Osman Assan made it 2-0 in the 42nd minute, followed by Kwabena Boakye’s long-range strike before halftime.

After the break, Hafiz Alhassan scored a consolation goal for the visitors, Cape Coast Mysterious Dwarfs, in the 59th minute. Sekondi Rospak SC is currently second in the table with 50 points, just one point behind leaders Swedru All Blacks.

Soccer Intellectuals ended PAC Academy’s six-game unbeaten streak with a hard-fought 2-1 victory at the Senya Astro Turf. Robert Duncan scored the first goal for Soccer Intellectuals in the 20th minute, while Akwesi Mensah made it 1-1 for PAC Academy in the 45th minute, before Nana Abakah netted the match-winner for Soccer Intellectuals. Soccer Intellectuals are currently 5^th in the league table with 32 points.