Ghana’s senior women’s national football team, the Black Queens, have received major recognition at the 2026 Confederation of African Football (CAF) Awards, with captain Portia Boakye and goalkeeper Cynthia Konlan earning nominations in three individual and team categories.
The Black Queens have been shortlisted for the prestigious Women’s National Team of the Year award, while captain Portia Boakye is competing for the Women’s Player of the Year honour. Goalkeeper Cynthia Konlan has also secured a nomination for the Women’s Goalkeeper of the Year award.
The nominations follow Ghana’s participation in the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) held in Morocco, where the Black Queens progressed to the quarter-final stage.
Black Queens Face Nine African Countries for Team Award
Ghana will compete against nine other national teams for the 2026 CAF Women’s National Team of the Year award.
The shortlisted countries include Cameroon, Malawi, Morocco, South Africa, Nigeria, Algeria, Cape Verde, Côte d’Ivoire and Mali.
Cameroon have also attracted attention following their impressive performance at the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, where the Indomitable Lionesses emerged as African champions.
The competition highlights the growing quality and competitiveness of women’s football across the African continent.
Portia Boakye Nominated for CAF Women’s Player of the Year
Black Queens captain Portia Boakye has been rewarded with a nomination for the 2026 CAF Women’s Player of the Year award following her impressive contribution to Ghana’s WAFCON campaign.
Boakye featured in five matches during the tournament and provided one assist as Ghana secured a place in the quarter-finals.
She faces strong competition from Zambia’s Barbra Banda, South Africa’s Thembi Kgatlana and Cameroonian players Marie Ngah Manga and Monique Ngock.
Other nominees include Morocco’s Hanane Ait El Haj, Algeria’s Marine Dafeur, and Malawi’s Tabitha Chawinga and Temwa Chawinga.
Cynthia Konlan Earns CAF Goalkeeper of the Year Nomination
Ghanaian goalkeeper Cynthia Konlan has also secured a place on the shortlist for the 2026 CAF Women’s Goalkeeper of the Year award.
Konlan made four appearances for the Black Queens during the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, recording one clean sheet and conceding four goals.
She will face competition from Nigeria’s Christiana Uzoma, Cameroon’s Michaely Bihina, Algeria’s Chloe N’Gazi and Tanzania’s Mercy Sikelo.
The remaining nominees are Mali’s Fatoumata Karantao, Morocco’s Khadija Er-Rmichi, Senegal’s Adji Ndiaye, South Africa’s Kaylin Swart and Zambia’s Hazel Nali.
Notably, Nigerian goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie, a three-time winner of the award, is missing from this year’s shortlist and will not defend her individual recognition.
CAF Awards 2026 Ceremony Set for December 7 in Lagos
The 2026 CAF Awards ceremony is scheduled to take place on Monday, December 7, in Lagos, Nigeria.
The annual awards celebrate outstanding achievements and exceptional performances by African footballers, coaches, clubs and national teams during the eligibility period.
Ghana’s multiple nominations represent significant recognition for the Black Queens and highlight the contributions of Portia Boakye and Cynthia Konlan to women’s football in Africa.
Football fans will be watching closely to see whether Ghana’s representatives can convert their nominations into major honours at this year’s CAF Awards.
Source: newsthemegh.com