Black Queens head coach Kim Lars Björkegren has described next month’s international friendly against European champions England as a stern test for his side.
Ghana will face the Lionesses on December 2, 2025, at St. Mary’s Stadium in Southampton, marking the first-ever senior women’s football meeting between the two nations.
In an interview with Joy Sports, Björkegren called the fixture a crucial benchmark as the team prepares for the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations.
“It’s a big game, of course. I think the game is more important on the global stage because [England] is one of the most difficult teams to play in the world,” the Swedish coach said.
“They are probably in the top four globally along with Spain, France, and the USA right now.”
Björkegren praised England’s consistent improvement and noted that the match offers Ghana a rare chance to gauge their progress against one of the world’s elite sides.
“England are one of the best for sure, and they’re a team that just keeps improving, so it will be a difficult game for us. The fact that they want to play against us is the most important thing.
“We’re talking about a team that can potentially win the World Cup in Brazil. They’re not just going there to participate; they’re going there to win it, and they want to play against us as part of their preparations.”
The Black Queens will use the friendly to fine-tune their squad ahead of next year’s continental showpiece.
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