Ghana Unveils New Queens Coach New Queens Coach Unveiled

The Ghana Football Association (GFA) has officially named Swedish coach Kim Lars Björkegren as the new head coach of the Black Queens. He takes over from Nora Häuptle, whose contract ended in December 2024. Consequently, the GFA hopes his experience will bring a fresh approach to the team.

Björkegren holds a UEFA License A and has 18 years of coaching experience. Over the years, he has led Apollon Ladies to a league title in Cyprus and guided Linköpings FC to victory in Sweden’s Damallsvenskan. Furthermore, in the 2020–2021 season, he won Cyprus’s Coach of the Season award. Notably, he shares a rare distinction with Sven-Göran Eriksson as one of the few Swedish managers to win domestic titles in two different countries.

The unveiling ceremony included several key figures from the GFA. Among them were GFA Executive Council Members Gideon Fosu and Samuel Aboabire. In addition, General Secretary Prosper Harrison Addo, Technical Director Professor Joseph Mintah, and Black Queens’ assistant coach Anita Wiredu Mintah were also present.

During the event, Gideon Fosu officially introduced Björkegren and outlined his primary task. Specifically, he emphasized that the coach must help the team rediscover its winning form.

To support Björkegren, the GFA has also restructured the team’s technical staff. For instance, Charles Sampson and Anita Wiredu will serve as assistant coaches. Meanwhile, Nassamu Yakubu takes charge as the Goalkeepers Coach, while Enoch Jordan Daitey becomes the Athletic Coach. Moreover, the medical team includes Dr. Kate Boachie-Agyemang, Nurse Asinawu Abubakari, and Physiotherapist Margaret Foli. Additionally, Drucilia Arthur will handle player welfare, and Patience Nana A. Quarshie and Adwoa Bayor will manage equipment. Lastly, Ronnie Bergdahl joins as the team’s Video Analyst.

The Black Queens will play their first match under Björkegren on Friday, February 21, 2025. They will face Morocco’s senior women’s team in an international friendly at the Pere Jego Stadium in Casablanca. This game, therefore, serves as crucial preparation for both teams ahead of the 2025 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), scheduled for July in Morocco.

The Black Queens are among the 12 teams competing for the title, with South Africa as the defending champions. With a new coach and a strengthened technical team, Ghana hopes to make a strong impact at the tournament.