'We wanted to do better' - Chantelle Boye-Hlorkah reflects on WAFCON experience

Black Queens forward Chantelle Boye-Hlorkah has described her experience at the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) as challenging, admitting that Ghana wanted to go further in the competition despite securing qualification for the World Cup playoffs.

Boye-Hlorkah, who has returned to club action after spending the summer with the Black Queens, said the tournament provided a difficult mental and physical test for the team.

“I think it’s always good to go away with the national team. I think it’s not what we wanted, of course. We were aiming to do a lot better than we did,” she said.

Ghana reached the quarter-finals of the tournament before their campaign came to an end, but their performance was enough to secure a place in the World Cup playoff stage.

The forward admitted that some of the matches were particularly demanding.

“Some tough games, mentally as well. It was tough,” she noted.

Despite the disappointment, Boye-Hlorkah said the Black Queens can take encouragement from securing a route into the World Cup qualification playoffs, with another opportunity to achieve their objective still ahead.

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“We wanted to do better, but we got through to the playoff part, so now we’ve still got more to do,” she mentioned.

After returning to her club, Boye-Hlorkah said she has welcomed the opportunity to refresh and prepare for the new season.

“It’s good to come back, refresh myself back home with everyone, and then we go again on the next camp,” she stated.

The Black Queens forward has also returned to a new club management setup and is adapting to a different style of play ahead of the new season.

She continued, “It’s good to see a lot of new faces and a new style of play, so I’ve got to get used to that.”

With the new season approaching, Boye-Hlorkah said she is enjoying working under manager Tom and believes his approach could help the team achieve its ambitions.

“He’s such a good manager. The way he handles the players and he speaks to us,” she said.

Boye-Hlorkah also praised the manager for the confidence and motivation he has shown in her.

“Personally, for me as well, the motivation and confidence he has in me. It’s always good for us players to strive for that,” she said.

Boye-Hlorkah is now focused on settling back into club football and helping her team prepare for the new campaign, while keeping an eye on the Black Queens’ upcoming World Cup playoff assignment.

“I’m looking forward to working with him and the girls and seeing what we can do this season,” she concluded.

Black Queens player Chantelle Boye-Hlorkah shares her WAFCON 2026 experience. pic.twitter.com/G5F7WRgom1

— Akosua Adjei (@Akosua__Adjei) August 21, 2026