Ghana Beat Côte d'Ivoire to Reach Women's World Cup Play-Offs

Ghana have qualified for the FIFA Women's World Cup Brazil 2027 Play-Off Tournament after a 2-1 victory over Côte d'Ivoire in Casablanca. The win keeps alive the Black Queens' hopes of reaching the World Cup for the first time in two decades.

The match, part of the Women's Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) play-in round, saw Côte d'Ivoire take an early lead through a penalty converted by Ines Konan in the 4th minute. Ghana responded with goals from Princess Marfo (59') and Josephine Bonsu (72', penalty) to seal the comeback.

Match Summary

Côte d'Ivoire started strongly, earning a penalty after a foul by Ghana's Princess Marfo on captain Bernadette Amani. Strasbourg's Ines Konan calmly converted the spot kick to put the Ivorians ahead. Ghana then dominated possession but struggled to break down a solid Ivorian defense, with 18-year-old goalkeeper Oceane Lamfir making several saves.

In the second half, Ghana increased the pressure and equalized when Marfo headed in from a corner. The winning goal came after a handball in the Ivorian area, allowing Josephine Bonsu to score from the penalty spot.

Road to the Play-Offs

Both teams entered the match after quarter-final defeats in the WAFCON, with Côte d'Ivoire losing to Algeria and Ghana falling to Malawi. The winner of this play-in would advance to the Play-Off Tournament, scheduled for November and December 2025.

Later today, South Africa and Nigeria will compete to determine CAF's second representative in the Play-Offs. The tournament will feature teams from various confederations vying for the final spots in the Women's World Cup.

Ghana last appeared in the Women's World Cup in 2007, and this victory brings them one step closer to ending that 20-year absence.