The Ghana women’s national football team, popularly known as the Black Queens, have been crowned champions of the 2026 Pink Ladies Cup after an impressive run in the invitational tournament held in the United Arab Emirates. Ghana secured the title following strong victories in their opening two matches, while the final scheduled fixture against Tanzania was cancelled, prompting tournament organizers to award the trophy to the Ghanaian side at their team hotel.
The Pink Ladies Cup is an international women’s football tournament that serves as a competitive preparation platform for national teams ahead of major continental and global competitions. The 2026 edition featured four participating nations including Ghana, Russia, Hong Kong China and Tanzania, with matches played in venues across Dubai and Sharjah.
Ghana entered the tournament determined to sharpen their squad and build momentum ahead of the upcoming Women’s Africa Cup of Nations. From the beginning of the competition, the Black Queens displayed strong attacking football and disciplined defending, quickly establishing themselves as one of the standout teams in the tournament.
Their campaign began with a commanding performance against Hong Kong China. Ghana dominated possession and created several scoring opportunities before eventually opening the scoring in the 28th minute through forward Princess Marfo. The goal settled the team and allowed them to control the pace of the game. Doris Boaduwaa doubled the lead before halftime, giving Ghana a comfortable advantage heading into the break.
The second half saw the Black Queens maintain their intensity. Chantelle Boye Hlorkah extended the lead shortly after the restart, capitalising on sustained attacking pressure. Debutant Ajegipena Zakaria then capped off a memorable performance by scoring the fourth goal to complete a convincing 4 0 victory. The result gave Ghana a perfect start to the competition and highlighted the depth of talent within the squad.
Ghana followed up the opening victory with another dominant display against Russia in their second match of the tournament. The Black Queens took control early in the game and opened the scoring in the eighth minute when Stella Nyamekye finished off a well coordinated attacking move to put Ghana ahead.
Forward Doris Boaduwaa quickly emerged as one of the standout performers of the match. She scored Ghana’s second goal in the seventeenth minute after a swift attacking play before adding her second of the game later in the first half to give Ghana a commanding three goal lead. The Black Queens entered halftime firmly in control of the match and continued to demonstrate their attacking strength.
Despite attempts by the Russian side to respond in the second half, Ghana maintained a disciplined defensive structure that limited their opponents’ opportunities in front of goal. The Black Queens remained organized at the back while continuing to threaten on the counterattack. Substitute Patience Ajegipena Zakaria eventually sealed the victory in the closing minutes of the match, scoring Ghana’s fourth goal in the eighty eighth minute to secure another emphatic 4 0 win.
The back to back victories left Ghana at the top of the tournament standings with six points, eight goals scored and none conceded across two matches. Their dominant performances demonstrated the team’s attacking efficiency as well as defensive stability, both of which are key components in international competitions.
The Black Queens were scheduled to play their final match of the tournament against Tanzania, a game that was expected to determine the final standings. However, the match was later cancelled due to circumstances that affected tournament arrangements. Following the cancellation, officials of the Pink Ladies Cup confirmed Ghana as champions based on their superior results and points accumulated during the competition.
Tournament organizers later visited the Ghanaian team at their hotel where they officially presented the championship trophy and medals to the players and technical staff. The presentation marked the official conclusion of the competition and confirmed Ghana’s success in the 2026 edition of the tournament.
The victory represents an important morale boost for the Black Queens as they prepare for upcoming international tournaments. The team is currently building momentum toward the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, the premier women’s football competition on the African continent organized by the Confederation of African Football.
For the players and coaching staff, the Pink Ladies Cup triumph highlights the progress the team has made in recent months. With several emerging talents combining with experienced internationals, the Black Queens appear to be developing a balanced squad capable of competing strongly on the continental stage.
Ghanaian fans and football observers have welcomed the victory as a positive sign for women’s football in the country. The team’s impressive performances in the tournament have reinforced optimism about Ghana’s prospects in upcoming competitions while also drawing attention to the growing strength of women’s football across Africa.