Coach hails Black Queens captain as 'extra arm' after WAFCON qualification

Ghana's Black Queens captain, Portia Boakye, has earned high praise from head coach Kim Lars Björkegren, who described her as his "extra arm" after the team secured a spot in the quarterfinals of the TotalEnergies Women’s Africa Cup of Nations.

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She means so much. She’s like the extra arm for me, really helpful. Sometimes I don’t need to say too much. She can do it for me. And that’s the kind of captain that you want.

Björkegren emphasized Boakye's indispensable role in the team's tournament success. He lauded her leadership qualities, noting her effective communication with players and her exemplary conduct on the field. "She means so much. She’s like the extra arm for me, really helpful. Sometimes I don’t need to say too much. She can do it for me. And that’s the kind of captain that you want,” the Swedish coach stated.

The coach reserved particular commendation for Boakye's work ethic and competitive mentality during matches. He stressed that her tenacious fighting spirit has become infectious among the Black Queens squad. "But also, I mean, the most important is how she’s leading on the pitch with her fighting spirit. I mean, she’s brutal. I mean, she really puts her body there. And she’s a real fighter,” Björkegren added.

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But also, I mean, the most important is how she’s leading on the pitch with her fighting spirit. I mean, she’s brutal. I mean, she really puts her body there. And she’s a real fighter.

Björkegren also pointed out that Boakye commands the respect of the entire team, a sentiment underscored when she was named Player of the Match in one of Ghana's group stage games. "And the way she’s playing, of course, everybody needs to respect her and everybody does. And as you said, you can see when she is the player of the match that everybody is so happy for her because it’s so well deserved,” he concluded. With this quarterfinal berth, Ghana is now just one win away from qualifying for the FIFA Women’s World Cup.

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And the way she’s playing, of course, everybody needs to respect her and everybody does. And as you said, you can see when she is the player of the match that everybody is so happy for her because it’s so well deserved.