BY NADIA NTIAMOAH
Ghana’s Black Queens have been handed a potentially significant test in their bid to qualify for the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, with Mauritius standing between them and progression to the next stage of the African qualifiers.
The two nations will meet over two legs, with Ghana travelling to Mauritius for the first leg on Thursday, October 8, 2026, before hosting the return fixture in Ghana on Tuesday, October 13.
Mauritius earned their place in the second round after overcoming Djibouti 3-1 on aggregate in the preliminary round. They secured a 2-1 home victory in the first leg before completing the job with a 1-0 away win.
Ghana, meanwhile, were among 29 countries given a bye through the preliminary round and will enter the competition at the second of five knockout stages.
The tie represents another important opportunity for the Black Queens, who are yet to qualify for the Olympic Games. Ghana’s failure to make previous Olympic tournaments has made qualification for Los Angeles 2028 a significant target for the team.
A successful outcome over the two legs would move Ghana one step closer to ending that long wait. However, the Black Queens would still have to negotiate four additional knockout rounds after the Mauritius tie to secure one of Africa’s Olympic berths.
The opening leg in Mauritius will therefore be crucial, with Ghana expected to target a positive result before bringing the tie home for the decisive second encounter.
