Ghana vs Cape Verde LIVE: Score, Goals and Latest Updates From WAFCON 2026 Opener
Ghana 2-0 Cape Verde: Full-time analysis
The Black Queens secured all three points against debutants Cape Verde, extending their unbeaten record against first-time WAFCON participants to nine wins from nine matches.
Since 2000, Ghana have now won all five encounters against teams making their tournament debut, underlining their dominance in such fixtures.
However, coach Kim Lars Björkegren will be the first to acknowledge that his side still have room for improvement, especially after showing signs of wastefulness and a lack of composure in front of goal.
Defensively, the Black Queens looked solid, with captain Portia Boakye expertly marshalling the backline while goalkeeper Cynthia Konlan stood tall and provided answers to every challenge posed by Cape Verde.
Ghana’s next test will be a much tougher assignment against Cameroon on August 2, while Cape Verde will look to bounce back when they face Mali in their next Group D fixture.
FT: Ghana 2-0 Cape Verde
81 min: Sharon Sampson latches onto a pass and brilliantly skips past her marker, but her attempted cross is intercepted as Cape Verde clear the danger.
84 min: Sampson continues to trouble the Cape Verde defence after coming on, but the referee waves play on despite appeals for a foul following a challenge on the Ghanaian forward.
86 min: The island nation quickly transitions from defence to attack and looks to threaten Ghana, but the Black Queens remain organised and deal with the danger. The Blue Sharks win a corner.
87 min: Ghana come agonisingly close to a third goal as Princella Adubea delivers a perfect cross into the box, but Doris Boaduwaa’s header flashes narrowly wide.
88 min: The Black Queens continue to dominate and patiently recycle possession in search of another opening, but their final effort fails to trouble the goalkeeper as it sails over the bar.
89 min: Ghana win a free-kick, but attention shifts to a VAR review after a Cape Verde defender catches Linda Owusu with a dangerous challenge. The referee checks the monitor and, after reviewing the incident, shows the defender a red card.
90 min: The referee indicates four minutes of additional time.
90+2 min: Ghana nearly add a third from the resulting free kick, but Sharon Sampson’s effort drifts wide of the post.
90+4 min: The Black Queens continue to push forward in search of another goal, but after sustained pressure, Cape Verde finally win a foul and get a chance to relieve the pressure.
90+5 min: Cape Verde effects the free kick, but the referee blows the final whistle shortly after. Ghana secure a deserved victory and collect all three points in their WAFCON opener.
Ghana 2-0 Cape Verde: Black Queens in a comfortable lead
71 min: A misplaced pass from a Ghanaian defender almost proves costly, but Cynthia Konlan comes to the rescue. The tall goalkeeper uses her reach to produce an excellent save from a long-range effort and keeps Ghana’s clean sheet intact.
73 min: Ghana’s attack is beginning to show signs of frustration, with the Black Queens guilty of taking an extra touch and making the wrong decisions in the final third.
76 min: The Black Queens win possession deep in their own half and attempt to launch a quick counter-attack, but the move breaks down as Cape Verde briefly threaten going forward. However, Ghana’s defence remains composed and handles the danger.
77 min: Princella Adubea wins a free-kick in a dangerous position after being brought down by her marker, who struggles to contain her pace.
78 min: The resulting free-kick creates chaos inside the Cape Verde box, but the Blue Sharks manage to clear their lines. Ghana, however, remain firmly in control of possession.
79 min: Ghana earn another free-kick just outside the box after Doris Boaduwaa’s long-range effort strikes a Cape Verde defender’s hand. The referee immediately points to the spot for the set-piece.
80 min: A missed opportunity! Chantelle Boye-Hlorkah attempts to curl her effort over the defensive wall, but the shot flies well wide, allowing Cape Verde to restart with a goal kick.
Ghana 2-0 Cape Verde: Black Queens probing for a third goal
63 min: Coach Kim Lars Björkegren makes another tactical adjustment, bringing on Linda Owusu of AFC Toronto and Princella Adubea for Alice Kusi as Ghana look to maintain their dominance.
65 min: Susan Ama Duah appears to pick up an injury and is forced to leave the pitch, jogging off as Ghana make another change.
66 min: Ghana build patiently from the back before a long searching pass creates another opening. Doris Boaduwaa pounces on a defensive error and sees her effort saved, but the rebound falls kindly to Princella Adubea, who blazes over from close range. It was a golden opportunity to make it 3-0.
68 min: The Black Queens continue to pile on the pressure, keeping Cape Verde pinned back. However, a resulting free-kick fails to trouble the defence as the Blue Sharks clear their lines and earn a goal kick.
70 min: Cape Verde are struggling to escape their own half as Ghana maintain relentless pressure in search of a third goal.
Ghana 2-0 Cape Verde: Black Queens double their lead
52 min: Ghana come close to unlocking Cape Verde’s stubborn defence as a long searching pass finds Sharon Sampson, who expertly brings the ball under control. She beats her marker with a fine dribble, but her final delivery is intercepted, forcing Cape Verde to clear for a corner.
53 min: GOAL! Ghana 2-0 Cape Verde. The Black Queens’ relentless pressure finally pays off as Chantelle Boye-Hlorkah’s cross is turned into her own net by Eleia Vieira under pressure from the Ghanaian attack.
55 min: Ghana show no signs of slowing down despite their two-goal advantage, continuing to dominate with slick interpositional exchanges. However, a misplaced pass from Boye brings another promising move to an abrupt end.
58 min: The Black Queens remain firmly in control as they search for another opening, but Sharon Sampson concedes a free-kick after a foul on her marker.
60 min: Ghana regain possession and force another corner, with the resulting set-piece causing panic inside the Cape Verde box. However, Boye-Hlorkah’s effort fails to find the target.
Ghana 1-0 Cape Verde: Second half starts
45 min: We’re back underway! Coach Kim Lars Björkegren makes an attacking change at the break, introducing Sharon Sampson for Princess Marfo as Ghana restart the action.
46 min: Ghana attempt to build from the back, but play is briefly halted as a Cape Verde player goes down injured.
47 min: The referee signals for play to resume, with Ghana once again trying to work their way forward. However, the move breaks down as the ball rolls out for a throw-in.
48 min: The Black Queens continue to press forward, but Sharon Sampson’s attempt to pick out a teammate in the box ends with a wayward cross.
49 min: Ghana remain in control of possession and come close to opening up the Cape Verde defence with some neat passing, but the final ball is intercepted.
50 min: Chantelle Boye-Hlorkah concedes a free-kick after a foul on her opponent, but Ghana’s defence, led by captain Portia Boakye, comfortably deals with the resulting set-piece.
Ghana 1-0 Cape Verde: Halftime analysis
Coach Kim Lars Björkegren will be pleased with the Black Queens' first-half display, but he will also be aware that their finishing needs improvement.
Ghana dominated proceedings with 60% possession, creating two big chances and registering five shots on target, yet they could have had a more comfortable lead.
The coach will be counting on the attacking quality of players like Sharon Sampson, Evelyn Badu, Stella Nyamekye and Azegipina Zakaria to provide the cutting edge in the second half.
However, Björkegren will demand more composure in the final third, particularly with the final pass, touch, shot and decision-making as Ghana look to put the game beyond Cape Verde.
For the Blue Sharks, their defensive resilience has kept them alive despite conceding early.
They have blocked two shots and will be hoping to build on their organisation at the back as they search for a way back into the contest after the break.
Ghana 1-0 Cape Verde: Black Queens lead at half time by a slim margin
34 min: Ghana continue to push forward as Princess Marfo tries her luck from distance, but her effort sails comfortably wide.
36 min: Cape Verde come close to finding an equaliser as Leonilde Rodrigues meets a cross from the half-space, but her weak attempt is easily gathered by goalkeeper Cynthia Konlan.
37 min: Ghana quickly switch from defence to attack as Doris Boaduwaa capitalises on a loose ball and drives into the box. The forward curls a low effort towards goal, but Jacinta Rodrigues produces a brilliant elastic save to deny her.
38 min: The resulting corner almost catches Cape Verde off guard, but another superb intervention from Jacinta keeps the score at 1-0 in Ghana's favour.
39 min: Another Ghana corner causes problems for the Blue Sharks, but Princess Marfo heads just over the crossbar as Cape Verde escape again.
41 min: Ghana maintain the pressure, but Maisa Cardoso is booked for a rough challenge on Doris Boaduwaa. The Black Queens win a free-kick in a dangerous area.
42 min: Boaduwaa comes agonisingly close to doubling Ghana's lead after connecting with Alice Kusi's cross, but her effort narrowly misses the target.
44 min: Cape Verde finally manage to relieve the pressure by winning a free-kick and earn a much-needed moment of respite after a difficult spell.
45 min: The referee signals two minutes of additional time.
45+1 min: Cape Verde win a free-kick, but their delivery fails to trouble Ghana, who deal with the danger comfortably.
45+2 min: The Blue Sharks continue to push for an equaliser, but their final effort flies over the bar. The referee brings an entertaining first half to a close, with Ghana heading into the break with a 1-0 lead.
Ghana 1-0 Cape Verde: Black Queens holding on to a slim lead
22 min: Leonilde Rodrigues goes into the referee's book after a late challenge on a Ghanaian attacker.
23 min: Ghana's resulting free-kick comes to nothing as Cape Verde stand firm, with their defensive organisation keeping them in the contest.
25 min: The Black Queens continue to dominate possession but are struggling to turn their control into clear-cut chances. However, Ghana remains the more threatening side and continues to push forward.
27 min: Cape Verde are showing no fear against their more experienced opponents, matching the three-time WAFCON finalists with confidence.
30 min: Ghana are creating more problems for the Cape Verde defence but lack the final touch, with Doris Boaduwaa unable to properly connect with a pass intended for Gifty Boye-Hlorkah.
Ghana 1-0 Cape Verde: Jennifer Cudjoe gets a yellow card
12 min: The contest has settled into an end-to-end affair, with Cape Verde refusing to be rattled despite falling behind early.
15 min: Ghana's high press, as promised by coach Kim Lars Björkegren, is causing problems. The Black Queens almost double their lead after Princess Marfo pounces on a turnover and picks out Doris Boaduwaa, but the former Hasaacas Ladies forward fires straight at the goalkeeper.
18 min: Cape Verde enjoys a spell of possession as they search for an opening, while Ghana remains alert to the counter-attacking threat.
20 min: Ghana find themselves in disciplinary trouble as Jennifer Cudjoe and a teammate are shown yellow cards, leaving both players needing to be careful for the remainder of the match.
Ghana 1-0 Cape Verde: Boaduwaa breaks the deadlock for Black Queens
1 min: Cape Verde get the match underway at the Moulay Rachid Stadium in Casablanca.
2 min: Ghana have started brightly, enjoying most of the possession and looking dangerous whenever they surge forward.
3 min: Cape Verde threaten with a teasing ball into the box, but goalkeeper Cynthia Konlan reads it well and comes off her line to claim it after Susan Ama Duah applies pressure.
6 min: GOAL! Ghana 1-0 Cape Verde. The Black Queens take a deserved lead as Doris Boaduwaa brilliantly lobs the advancing Cape Verde goalkeeper after a well-timed run.
8 min: Cape Verde have responded positively to falling behind and are beginning to string together some neat passages of play.
10 min: Ghana weather the brief pressure from the Blue Sharks and regain control of possession as they look to build on their early advantage.
