Swedish Revolution for Black Queens: Bjorkegren Vows to Restore the Glory Days

Black Queens Coach Lars Bjorkegren Aims to Revitalize Ghana Women’s Football

Lars Bjorkegren, the new head coach of Ghana’s Black Queens, is determined to usher in a new era for the women’s national team. Confident that his leadership will spark a change in the team’s fortunes, the Swedish tactician believes the Black Queens have the potential to reclaim their former glory and re-establish themselves as a force in African women’s football.

Bjorkegren, who brings years of international coaching experience, is excited to begin his first venture in African football. “So far, so good,” he said during his introduction at the Ghana Football Association (GFA) headquarters in Accra. “The people here are wonderful, and I’m eager to embrace the culture. But more importantly, I’m ready to work hard with the players to achieve the results we all desire.”

With previous coaching stints across multiple continents, particularly in the United States, where he worked with a variety of international talents, Bjorkegren feels prepared for the challenges ahead. He’s especially optimistic about the immense talent in Ghana.

Transformation Plans

Despite the challenge, Bjorkegren is hopeful. “The talent in Ghana is enormous,” he said. “There’s a perfect blend of experience and youthful energy within the squad. The young players coming through, many in their late teens, are incredibly gifted.” His mission is to nurture this potential, aiming to push Ghana up from their current FIFA ranking of 66th and restore the team to its rightful place in African football.

One of Bjorkegren’s first priorities is to cultivate a winning mentality. He plans to travel extensively to meet players at their clubs, both locally and abroad, in order to better understand their strengths and unite them into a cohesive unit. “Step by step, I’ll get to know them better, and that will make us stronger as a team,” he stated.

Another major goal for the coach is to implement a more aggressive style of play, mixing high-pressing strategies with Ghana’s traditional flair. “I want the team to be bolder in both attack and defence,” Bjorkegren said. “We need to press harder, attack faster, and still maintain Ghana’s identity of beautiful, creative football.”

His first real test will come quickly, with Ghana set to face Morocco in a friendly after only a few training sessions. “It’s a deep dive straight away. There won’t be much time to implement everything, but the most important thing is getting the players to believe in themselves,” he remarked.

AFCON Aspirations

Ghana’s return to the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) after missing out since 2018 is a key milestone for the team. However, Bjorkegren is clear that their aim must go beyond just participation. “If we don’t believe we can win, then we won’t,” he stated. “The outside world may not consider us favourites, but within our camp, we must have absolute belief.”

Despite Ghana’s drop in FIFA rankings over the past two decades, Bjorkegren insists that the talent within the team is undeniable. “We have the ability to rise again. This summer’s AFCON is a huge opportunity for us to show what we’re capable of,” he said.

Bjorkegren will be assisted by former Ghanaian international Charles Sampson, whose knowledge of both Ghanaian and Swedish football will be a valuable asset to the team.

The Swedish coach has also expressed his commitment to developing talent within Ghana’s domestic league. “I’m watching everything I can—both local and foreign-based players. There are so many technically gifted footballers here. We just need to place them in the right positions to fully express themselves,” he explained.

Handling Pressure and Expectations

With over 18 years of coaching experience, Bjorkegren is no stranger to the pressure of delivering results. “I know that results define me,” he said. “Win, and I’m a great coach; lose, and I’m not. That’s football. But I love the passion Ghanaians have for the game. It shows their deep connection to the Black Queens, and I embrace that.”

For Bjorkegren, his ultimate goal is to create a new chapter in Ghanaian women’s football history. “Pressure means people care. My focus is on building a strong foundation every single day. The past is the past; now it’s time to create a bright future.”

As the AFCON 2024 approaches, Bjorkegren’s vision is to instil belief in the team, develop a dynamic playing style, and bring the Black Queens back to their rightful place among Africa’s footballing elite. Whether he can deliver remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: he is ready for the challenge.