ACCRA, July 26 (Xinhua) -- Ghana will aim to win its first Women's Africa Cup of Nations title when the 2026 tournament begins in Morocco on Saturday.

The Black Queens finished third at the previous edition, with the Ghana Football Association and coaching staff confident the team can challenge for the continental crown.

Ghana Football Association president Kurt Simeon-Okraku has backed the team to surpass its most recent performance, while head coach Kim Lars Bjorkegren said the squad has made significant progress over the past year.

"I believe the team is overall in a much better place now compared to one year ago. I'm really looking forward to starting up the WAFCON," the Swedish coach said.

Bjorkegren added that many of his players have improved physically and tactically since he took charge of the team last year.

Ghana has qualified for every edition of the Women's Africa Cup of Nations and is making its 14th appearance at the tournament. The Black Queens finished as runners-up in 1998, 2002 and 2006 but have yet to lift the trophy.

The 2026 Women's Africa Cup of Nations runs from July 26 to August 16 in Morocco.

Ghana has been drawn in Group D alongside Cameroon, Mali and Cabo Verde. ■