It rained goals for Ghana on Thursday evening is Ismailia as they beat Egypt in their first encounter.

The Black Queens recorded a 3-0 victory in Ismailia in the first leg of their 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) Qualifiers.

Doris Boaduwaa, Mary Amponsah and Grace Asantewaa were all on the scoresheet for the Black Queens in the thumping win.  

Head coach Kim Lars Bjorkegren named a strong starting lineup for the fixture with Stella Nyamekye, Chantelle Boye-Hlorkah and Alice Kusi entrusted to play behind Boaduwaa. 

Jennifer Cudjoe and Grace Asantewaa continued their partnership in midfield while the defence had the regular faces of Comfort Yeboah, Susan Ama Duah, Portia Boakye and Josephine Bonsu with Cynthia Konlan also keeping the post.  

Egypt, playing at home, had a great start to the game as they found a few opening in the final third of the pitch but were unable to trouble the Ghanaian goalkeeper. 

The Black Queens began to settle in the game as it progressed, with the midfield playing a key role in the shift in momentum. 

However, Ghana had to wait until the dying embers of the opening half to break the deadlock. 

Jennifer Cudjoe picked out a great run from Doris Boaduwaa, playing through a defence splitting pass. 

The Hapoel Jerusalem forward latched onto the ball and made no mistake from close range as she scored to give Ghana the lead. 

The two teams went into the break with the West Africans commanding a lead. 

The return from recess saw Ghana continue their dominance in the game and were handed a numerical advantage when Egypt had a player sent off for a reckless challenge on Grace Asantewaa. 

Josephine Bonsu came close to doubling the lead for the Black Queens but her effort from a set piece came off the post. 

Substitute Mary Amponsah also saw an effort from a header come off the crossbar in the 74th minute of the encounter. 

Stella Nyamekye forced a decent save from the Egyptian goalkeeper with a long drive from outside the box which was parried away. 

Mary Amponsah wrapped up the victory with near post finish after Princess Marfo’s header was saved, making it 2-0 for the Black Queens. 

The game didn’t end there as Grace Asantewaa also got onto the act to put the game beyond the reach of Egypt.

The Black Queens host the Cleopatras in Accra on Tuesday, October 28, at the Accra Sports Stadium knowing that they are one step away from qualification to the 2026 WAFCON also to be staged in Morocco.