Ghanaian football icon and former Black Queens captain, Adjoa Bayor, has voiced strong support for the current national team as they compete at the 2025 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Morocco.

Despite a rocky start to the tournament—falling 2-0 to defending champions South Africa in their opening match—Bayor remains optimistic about Ghana’s chances. The Black Queens are set to face Mali on Friday in a crucial second group game, with a final group clash against Tanzania scheduled for July 14.

Speaking to CAFOnline, Bayor praised the evolution of women’s football and encouraged the current squad to rise to the occasion.

> “We opened the way for them. We crawled so they can run. They have everything they need to perform at this level,” she said.

“The WAFCON has grown tremendously since 1998—on and off the pitch. From organization to prize money, the improvements are massive. It’s now up to $1 million. That’s a huge step by CAF.”

Ghana’s return to the continental stage comes after a seven-year absence, and Bayor—one of Africa’s trailblazers in the women’s game—believes the team is well-equipped to make a lasting impact.