Two young debutants turned opportunity into unforgettable moments as Ajegipina Zakaria and Alexandra Emefa Tay seized their first Black Queens call-ups with infectious excitement during Ghana’s triumphant Pink Ladies Cup campaign in the United Arab Emirates — announcing themselves as part of the national team’s emerging generation eager to make its mark.

For Zakaria, the dynamic Ampem Darkoa Ladies forward, the call from the national team felt almost surreal — the kind of news every young footballer dreams about but rarely expects to arrive so soon.

“I was very, very happy,” she recalled with a broad smile. “I was at Ampem Darkoa when they told me they were calling me to come and play for the Black Queens. The first people I told were my parents.”

The moment represented the culmination of a journey that began almost as soon as she could walk.

“I started playing football when I was about two years old,” she said.

Growing up in a community where girls’ football was not widely embraced, Zakaria sharpened her skills playing alongside boys.

“Girls, they don’t take football as something that is very, very good,” she explained. “But because of the guys, the way they were playing, I also joined them.”

Now rubbing shoulders with some of Ghana’s finest players, Zakaria says she draws inspiration from Black Queens captain Portia Boakye.

“First, I was happy to have Portia. She’s a good player. When I’m playing with her, I’m always happy because she’s a talented player,” she said.

Zakaria’s breakthrough came during a memorable outing for the Black Queens, who were crowned champions of the 2026 Pink Ladies Cup after a commanding display in the four-nation tournament.

Ghana stormed to the title with back-to-back emphatic wins, thrashing Hong Kong, China 4-0 before delivering another dominant performance to defeat Russia’s women’s national team by the same scoreline.

The final fixture against Tanzania was later cancelled due to the ongoing Middle East conflict, which disrupted arrangements for the match.

Nevertheless, the victories were enough to secure the trophy and hand Coach Kim Lars Bjorkegren’s side a significant morale boost ahead of the rescheduled Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in July 2026.

Another player who seized her opportunity during the tournament was young defender Alexandra, whose maiden call-up to the national team represented the fulfilment of a lifelong ambition.

“I think the opportunity to put on your jersey for your country is something every player dreams of,” Tay said. “It’s an honour of the highest regard.”

The moment she received the news remains etched in her memory.

“I was just coming out of a computer science class when I found out,” she revealed. “My parents were the first people I told.”

Her debut became even more special when she stepped onto the pitch as a substitute for captain Portia Boakye — a moment Tay describes as both thrilling and humbling.

Throughout the camp, she leaned heavily on the experience of her teammates while focusing on adapting quickly to the demands of senior international football.

Now among the youngest members of the squad, Tay is determined to absorb as much as possible from those around her while contributing her own qualities to the team.

Operating as a centre-back, she hopes to bring composure and competitive intensity to the defensive line while fitting seamlessly into the coach’s tactical system.

She also credits Genevieve Clottier — her former teammate at the U20 World Cup and a two-time World Cup captain — as a key inspiration in her development.

Looking ahead, Tay has already set her sights on helping Ghana qualify for the FIFA Women’s World Cup. For now, however, her focus remains on building chemistry with her new teammates and growing into her role within the squad.

“Football’s supposed to be fun,” she said. “I try to bring a level of calm, and hopefully, as I grow into it, I can showcase some creativity and vision.”

Since taking charge last year, Swedish coach Lars Bjorkegren has gradually moulded the Black Queens into a disciplined and cohesive unit, largely retaining the core of players he inherited while introducing new talents to deepen competition within the squad.

For the Pink Ladies Cup, the tactician handed opportunities to several emerging players, including goalkeeper Rose Baah, defenders Diana Amoako and Alexandra Tay, wingers Sharon Sampson and Helen Alomenu, and attacker Ajegipina Zakaria.

The tournament provided the newcomers with a priceless platform to stake their claim for places in the final squad expected to represent Ghana at WAFCON in Morocco — and if their performances and enthusiasm are anything to go by, the Black Queens’ next generation has already begun to announce itself.