Black Queens set for historic friendly against England’s Lionesses

Ghana’s Black Queens have touched down in Southampton ahead of their high profile friendly against two time European champions, the Lionesses of England, on Tuesday, December 2.

The team is scheduled to train on Monday at St Mary’s Stadium as they fine-tune their preparations for the clash.

The match offers more than just a warm-up for the Black Queens. It is an opportunity to test themselves against one of Europe’s top teams, refine their tactics, and gain valuable experience ahead of upcoming international competitions.

England’s Lionesses are renowned for their speed, technical ability, and tactical discipline, making them a formidable challenge. But the Black Queens have shown resilience and flair in recent outings, and fans will be watching to see if they can spring a surprise on English soil.

Black Queens coach Kim Lars Björkegren said: “England will be one of the toughest games my team has ever faced. We’re jumping into deep water to see if we can swim against the best team in the world. It’s going to be really tough, and we need to understand that.”

“But we also know we have some qualities. We may not be top five in the world yet, but we need to challenge ourselves. Games like this potentially the most difficult in the world right now, away against England will challenge us for sure. We’re going to see how good we are, but also what we need to do better to climb the FIFA rankings and remain one of the top teams in Africa.”

England will end their 2025 season with this match against Ghana. Lionesses head coach Sarina Wiegman said: “It’s been another unforgettable year and we’re looking forward to finishing it in the right way with this final match of the ‘Homecoming Series’. We will have the chance to celebrate our successes in front of our supporters but we’re also fully focused on our objective to qualify for the World Cup.”

“These games against non-European opposition will give us important learnings and development opportunities. It’s another very important window for us to work hard with the players and try different things.”

The Game at Southampton promises a clash of ambition, skill, and pride. For Ghana’s Black Queens, it’s a chance to shine and demonstrate the growing strength of women’s football in the country.