By: Kwame Bediako
Ghana’s senior women’s national football team, the Black Queens, will face England’s Lionesses for the first time at the senior level on Tuesday, December 2, 2025. The landmark international friendly will take place at St Mary’s Stadium in Southampton as part of England’s highly anticipated Homecoming Series.
This rare encounter offers the Black Queens a unique platform to test themselves against one of the world’s most formidable women’s football teams. As reigning European champions, the England Lionesses represent a significant challenge and an invaluable opportunity for Ghana to benchmark their progress on the international stage. The Black Queens are pioneers of African women’s football, steeped in a proud legacy.
They were the first African women’s team to qualify for the FIFA Women’s World Cup in 1999. While recent conversations have often highlighted Nigeria, Equatorial Guinea, and South Africa, Ghana has produced its own icons, including Alberta Sackey, Adjoa Bayor, Portia Boakye, and Evelyn Badu, who continue to inspire new generations of female footballers.
This high-profile match comes at a critical moment as Ghana rebuilds its women’s football infrastructure in preparation for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup qualifiers. The friendly against the Lionesses will serve as a vital test of the Black Queens’ tactical strength, mental toughness, and character as they seek to reclaim their position among Africa’s elite.
