Ahead WAFCON 2025: South Africa thrash Malawi 3-0, Ghana pips Senegal 1-0 in friendlies 

By Harry Awurumibe, Africa’s No.1 Women Football Writer, Abuja

Forward Elizabeth Badu’s 24′ goal was all Ghana needed to defeat host Senegal 1-0 in the first of the two-legged international friendly matches between the two West African countries in preparation for their forthcoming Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) billed for Morocco in July.

The match played in the Senegalese city of Thiès,  on Saturday saw the Black Queens’s finished the encounter with 10 players after Agnes Achiaa received a red in the 63′ although the Senegalese could not capitalise on the sent-off of the Ghanaian player.

Elsewhere, reigning champions, South Africa thrashed Malawi 3-0 with goals from Nonhlanhla Mthandi in the 13′ and 53′ while Linda Motlhalo dispatched a penalty in the

53′ to give the South Africans a resounding victory over Malawi.

However, the Copper Queens of Zambia,  playing without four key players based in the United States of America (USA), lost 3-2 to Thailand in the Yongchuan International Tournament  China because of “travel measures” introduced by US President Donald Trump.

The Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) had earlier announced that four players, captain Barbra Banda; Racheal Kundananji; Prisca Chilufya and Grace Chanda – would miss the Yongchuan International Tournament this month.

All four players play their clubthe National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL), with Chanda, Banda and Kundananji at Orlando Pride and Chilufya with Bay FC.

Faz said its decision was due to the “additional travel measures introduced by the new administration” in the USA.