Newly appointed Black Queens assistant coach Pierre Persson has expressed his excitement after joining Ghana’s technical team ahead of the 2026 TotalEnergies Women’s Africa Cup of Nations. The experienced Swedish coach says it is a great honour to work with the Black Queens and believes the team has the talent needed to achieve success at the continental tournament.
Persson arrives with many years of experience in women’s football and is eager to help Ghana prepare for one of the biggest competitions on the African football calendar. Although he has only recently joined the team, he says he has already been impressed by the quality, attitude, and determination shown by the players.
The Swedish coach also believes that working with the Black Queens presents an exciting opportunity to contribute to the growth of women’s football in Ghana. He is looking forward to helping the players improve while learning more about Ghanaian football and becoming part of the team’s journey.
A Coach with Years of Experience
Pierre Persson brings a wealth of experience to the Black Queens coaching staff. He is currently working with Åland United in Finland and has spent more than a decade building a strong reputation in women’s football.
Since 2010, Persson has served in several important positions across Sweden’s top women’s leagues. During that time, he has worked as a head coach, club director, sporting director, and general manager. These different roles have allowed him to gain valuable knowledge about coaching, player development, team management, and building successful football programmes.
His broad experience is expected to strengthen Ghana’s technical team as the Black Queens continue preparing for the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations. Having worked with players at different levels, Persson understands the importance of creating an environment where footballers can continue improving every day.
His arrival also gives the coaching staff another experienced voice as they prepare for the challenges that lie ahead during the tournament.
An Invitation from Kim Lars Björkegren
Persson explained that his move to the Black Queens began with a phone call from Ghana head coach Kim Lars Björkegren.
The invitation immediately caught his attention, and he says he had no hesitation about accepting the opportunity to become part of Ghana’s coaching staff.
“When Kim called, I was really happy. Joining the Black Queens for WAFCON is a huge honour and a challenge I’m genuinely excited about. This team has enormous potential, and I’m delighted to be part of the journey,” he said.
His comments show how highly he regards the opportunity to work with the national team. For many coaches, participating in a major international tournament is one of the biggest achievements in their careers, and Persson is clearly looking forward to experiencing that challenge with Ghana.
He also believes the Black Queens possess the talent needed to compete strongly against Africa’s best teams.
Focused on Improving the Team’s Style of Play
One of Persson’s main responsibilities will be helping the Black Queens improve their passing, movement, and tactical understanding.
Working alongside Björkegren and fellow assistant coach Anita, he plans to introduce training sessions that encourage quicker decision making, faster ball movement, and better teamwork in possession.
“My role is to complement the head coach by working on passing drills, possession and tactics. The players are technically gifted and explosive, with many competing at top clubs in Europe. My job is to help them move the ball quicker, improve their movement off the ball and increase the tempo in possession.”
Persson believes Ghana already has many talented players with strong technical ability. His role is to build on those strengths by helping the team become even more organised and effective when they have the ball.
He feels that improving movement and passing speed will allow the Black Queens to create more scoring opportunities while making it harder for opponents to win possession.
Introducing New Ideas While Respecting the Team
Since arriving in camp, Persson has started introducing fresh ideas during training sessions. However, he says it is equally important to respect the culture and identity that already exist within the Black Queens setup.
The assistant coach believes successful coaching is about finding the right balance between bringing new methods and appreciating the work that has already been done by the existing staff and players.
“It’s important to respect the culture that’s already here, but I also want to bring new ideas. Every training session should demand focus and precision because that’s what helps players improve.”
According to Persson, every training session should have a clear purpose. He wants players to remain fully focused throughout practice because small improvements made every day can make a big difference during important matches.
His approach places a strong emphasis on concentration, discipline, and attention to detail, qualities that are often seen in successful teams at the highest level.
Impressed by the Players
Although he is still getting to know the squad, Persson says he has already been impressed by both the quality and mentality of the Black Queens players.
Many members of the squad compete for clubs in Europe, giving them valuable experience against strong opposition throughout the season. The Swedish coach believes that experience has helped create a highly competitive environment within the national team.
“These players already compete at a high international level, and they constantly push each other. My goal is to build their confidence by recognising what they’re doing well while also showing them where we can improve.”
Persson believes confidence plays a major role in football. Players perform at their best when they believe in their own abilities, and he hopes to help strengthen that confidence while continuing to guide their development.
At the same time, he also believes there is always room for improvement, regardless of how experienced a player may be.
Positive Start in Camp
Every new coach needs time to settle into a new environment, but Persson says his first days with the Black Queens have gone very well.
Joining a national team means working with players, coaches, and support staff who already know one another. Building trust is an important part of becoming a successful member of the coaching staff.
Persson admits that he understands the responsibility that comes with joining Ghana’s national team and says he is determined to earn the confidence of everyone around him.
“As a new coach, I know I have to prove myself, but the response from the players and staff has been very positive. There’s much more to come, and I’m really looking forward to the journey ahead.”
The encouraging welcome has made him even more excited about helping the team prepare for the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations.
Ghana Continue Preparations for WAFCON
With the 2026 TotalEnergies Women’s Africa Cup of Nations drawing closer, the Black Queens are continuing their preparations with the goal of competing strongly at the tournament.
Every training session becomes increasingly important as the coaching staff works to improve fitness, teamwork, tactics, and overall performance before the competition begins.
The addition of Pierre Persson gives the technical team another experienced coach who can contribute fresh ideas while supporting the work of head coach Kim Lars Björkegren.
Having coaches with different backgrounds and experiences can benefit a national team by introducing new ways of thinking and helping players develop additional skills.
Looking Ahead with Confidence
Pierre Persson believes the future looks bright for the Black Queens. From what he has seen during his first days in camp, he is convinced the squad has both the quality and determination needed to compete at the highest level.
His immediate focus is helping the players improve through detailed coaching, high quality training sessions, and a positive environment where everyone continues learning together.
As Ghana prepares for the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, the arrival of the experienced Swedish coach adds another important piece to the team’s preparations. Persson hopes his knowledge, energy, and commitment will help the Black Queens take another step forward as they aim to make the country proud on the continental stage.
With preparations continuing and excitement building ahead of the tournament, the new assistant coach is ready to begin what he hopes will be a successful journey with Ghana’s women’s national team.
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