Black Queens head coach Kim Lars Bjorkegren says Ghana’s upcoming international friendly against England will be one of the toughest examinations his team has ever faced, describing the fixture as a crucial benchmark in assessing their growth.
The match, scheduled for Tuesday, December 2, at the St. Mary’s Stadium, will see the Black Queens take on the world’s No.1-ranked team and reigning European champions—an opponent Bjorkegren openly calls “deep water.”
“We are jumping into deep water to see if we can swim against the best team in the world,” the Swedish coach said.
“It’s going to be extremely tough, and we must understand that. But we also know we have qualities and must challenge ourselves.”
Under Bjorkegren, the Black Queens have enjoyed steady improvement throughout the year, rebuilding their defensive structure, identity, and overall competitive mindset. Their confidence has grown, but facing England on home soil presents a rare opportunity to test themselves against the very highest standard in women’s football.
The coach believes matches of such magnitude are essential if Ghana hopes to rise in the FIFA rankings and establish itself as one of Africa’s leading women’s teams.
“Games like this show us not only how good we are, but what we still need to improve,” he explained.
“Playing England away is possibly the most difficult test in world football right now.”
Despite acknowledging the scale of the challenge, Bjorkegren remains upbeat. He says the team is motivated, excited, and ready to show courage at this elite level.
The friendly, he added, marks a significant checkpoint in Ghana’s long-term ambition to become a global force in women’s football.
