By Grace Zigah
Ghana’s Black Queens will seek to secure their place in the third round of the qualifiers for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games when they host Mauritius in the second leg of their second-round encounter at the Essipong Stadium on Tuesday, October 13, 2026.
The Queens head into the decisive fixture with a commanding 3-0 advantage from the first leg, played at the Côte d’Or National Sports Complex in Mauritius last Thursday. The result puts the Ghanaian side in a strong position as they continue their campaign to secure a historic first appearance at the Women’s Olympic Football Tournament.
Goals from Abigail Kim, Alice Kusi and Benedicte Simon handed Ghana the comfortable first-leg victory, giving head coach Kim Lars Björkegren’s side a significant advantage ahead of the return encounter on home soil.
With qualification for the next round at stake, the Black Queens will be eager to complete the job in front of their supporters and maintain their recent impressive run of form.
Ghana have won their last three matches across all competitions, a sequence that has boosted confidence within the squad ahead of Tuesday’s encounter. The team will now look to build on that momentum and avoid any complacency against a Mauritius side determined to respond after the first-leg defeat.
Mauritius, meanwhile, face a difficult task as they attempt to overturn the three-goal deficit away from home. Despite the challenge, the visitors will be hoping to produce a strong performance and cause an upset against the hosts.
Coach Björkegren’s team held its official Matchday-1 training session at the Essipong Stadium on Monday evening as preparations intensified for the crucial fixture.
The Swedish coach is expected to retain the core of the team that secured victory in Mauritius, although changes could be made to provide opportunities for other players while maintaining the side’s competitive balance.
The encounter represents another important step in Ghana’s pursuit of qualification for the 2028 Olympic Games. The Black Queens have yet to qualify for the Women’s Olympic Football Tournament, and progressing beyond Mauritius would keep alive their ambition of making history on the international stage.
The two-legged tie will be decided on aggregate, with the winner advancing to the third round of the African qualifying campaign.
Supporters in the Western Region are expected to turn out at the Essipong Stadium to cheer the Queens as they attempt to finish the job. Their backing could provide an additional boost for the team as it seeks to secure progression without allowing Mauritius back into the contest.
Football fans unable to attend the match can follow the action live on Max TV and the Ghana Football Association’s official YouTube page.
Kick-off is scheduled for 3:00 p.m. on Tuesday, October 13, 2026, at the Essipong Sports Stadium in Sekondi-Takoradi.
