Black Queens face Zambia in 2028 Los Angeles Olympic qualifiers

Ghana’s senior women’s national team, the Black Queens, have been drawn against Zambia in the third round of qualifiers for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games. This fixture represents a high-stakes rematch for the Ghanaian side, who are seeking their first-ever appearance at the global tournament. Following a dominant 10-0 aggregate victory over Mauritius in the previous stage, the team now prepares for a challenging path toward securing one of the only two spots reserved for African nations at the Olympics.

The upcoming encounter against the Copper Queens offers a significant opportunity for redemption. In the qualifiers for the 2024 Paris Olympics, Zambia eliminated Ghana in a tightly contested series that ended 4-3 on aggregate. This recent history adds a layer of intensity to the scheduled fixtures, which are expected to take place between February and March 2027. The Black Queens must overcome this familiar rival to progress further in their quest to break the historical barrier that has kept Ghana's women's football team from the Olympic stage since its inception.

Black Queens head coach Lars Kim Björkegren has acknowledged the magnitude of the challenge ahead, describing the journey to qualification as "really tough." Despite the difficulty of the task, Björkegren expressed strong confidence in the potential of his squad. He highlighted that while competition among African nations is exceptionally fierce—given that only two teams from the continent will qualify—the team's recent form provides a solid foundation for success. The coach remains optimistic that his players can navigate the pressure of the third round and continue their upward trajectory.

Securing a place at the 2028 Olympics would be a landmark achievement for Ghanaian sports, as the country has never qualified for the women's Olympic football tournament in its history. With the matches against Zambia scheduled for early 2027, the technical team will focus on long-term preparation and maintaining the squad's tactical discipline. The road to Los Angeles remains arduous, but the fixture against Zambia is seen as the definitive test of whether the Black Queens have evolved sufficiently to compete with the continent's elite and finally secure their Olympic debut.