Ghana’s Black Queens opened their pre-Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) campaign with a confident 3-1 win over Malawi at the Ziaida Complex in Benslimane, Morocco, on Saturday.

Malawi struck first courtesy Sani Tendai well-taken free kick in the 15th minute to give the Scorchers the lead.

Kim Lars girls drew parity when Alice Kusi was brought down in the penalty area just eight minutes later, and Doris Boaduwaa calmly converted from the spot.

In the 31st minute, she pounced on a loose ball at the edge of the box and unleashed a powerful long-range strike, putting Ghana ahead with her second goal of the evening.

The Queens continued to assert their authority, and with seven minutes left on the clock, Princella Adubea broke down the left wing before delivering an inch-perfect cross for Boaduwaa to nod home her third, completing a well-deserved hat-trick.

Head Coach Nora Häuptle introduced four changes to the squad that drew with Côte d’Ivoire last month. Among the notable adjustments, Ampem Darkoa’s Nancy Amoh was handed her first international start, while Princella Adubea returned to her favoured role on the right flank, proving pivotal in the final third.

The Black Queens will next face Benin on Wednesday, June 25, after Botswana withdrew from the scheduled fixture. That match will offer another opportunity for Ghana to fine-tune tactics and build momentum ahead of the WAFCON tournament.