The Black Queens’ international friendlies against Senegal and Tunisia, which were scheduled as part of their preparation for upcoming competitions, are currently at risk due to a funding shortfall. Reports from JoySports indicate that neither the Ministry of Youth and Sports (MoYS) nor the Ghana Football Association (GFA) have been able to secure the necessary $40,000 to fund these matches.
This development has raised concerns about the financial constraints affecting the team’s preparation for major tournaments. Despite the importance of these friendly matches for the team’s readiness, the lack of sufficient funding from both the government and the GFA has left the Black Queens’ participation uncertain. The required amount of $40,000 for the friendlies has not been raised, leading to the jeopardy of the matches against Senegal and Tunisia.
Neither the Ministry of Youth and Sports (MoYS) nor the Ghana Football Association (GFA) has been able to provide the necessary financial backing. These friendlies are considered crucial for the Black Queens’ preparation ahead of future competitions, and missing out on these matches could impact the team’s readiness.
If these matches do not take place due to financial constraints, it could potentially delay the Black Queens’ preparations for upcoming tournaments, negatively affecting their performance in future international competitions. The situation highlights the ongoing financial challenges within the Ghanaian sports sector, particularly women’s football. The Black Queens‘ scheduled international friendlies against Senegal and Tunisia, intended as crucial preparation for the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), are now at risk due to financial constraints. According to reports from Joy Sports, the $40,000 needed to cover the expenses for both matches has not been secured, making it unlikely that the games will take place. The required amount of $40,000 to cover expenses for the two friendlies is unavailable. The Ghana Football Association (GFA) does not have the funds necessary for the matches. The Ministry of Youth and Sports (MoYS) has not approved the budget for the friendlies, further stalling the arrangement.
These friendlies were meant to serve as important preparation for the Black Queens ahead of the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations. Missing out on these matches could hinder the team’s readiness for the tournament. The failure to secure funding in time could delay or entirely cancel the planned international friendlies, leaving the team with limited preparation time before the competition.
The situation underscores the ongoing financial difficulties within Ghanaian sports, particularly concerning the women’s national teams, and highlights the challenges in securing the necessary resources for international engagements. The Black Queens have not played any games since their last friendly against Japan in July 2024, leaving them with limited recent competitive experience ahead of next year’s 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Morocco. Nora Häuptle, the Black Queens’ head coach, was counting on the Senegal and Tunisia friendlies to assess the squad’s readiness for WAFCON. These games were seen as crucial for the team’s preparation, allowing the coach to evaluate the players and make any necessary adjustments ahead of the tournament.
The Black Queens earned their spot in the 2024 WAFCON after defeating Namibia in the final round of the qualification process earlier this year. This achievement was a significant milestone, but the team now faces the challenge of preparing for a difficult group at the continental tournament. At the 2024 WAFCON, Ghana will face tough competition in Group B, alongside South Africa (the defending champions), Tanzania, and Mali. This group will present a formidable challenge for the Black Queens, making their preparation even more critical.
Without the planned friendlies, the Black Queens are left with fewer opportunities to sharpen their skills and tactics, which could impact their performance at WAFCON. The lack of funding for these international fixtures has become a significant setback in their preparation for the tournament in Morocco.
The Black Queens’ return to the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) for the first time since 2018 is a significant milestone for the team. However, the lack of competitive friendlies in the lead-up to the tournament has left both players and the technical team frustrated and concerned about their preparedness. With the November 2024 friendlies against Senegal and Tunisia now in jeopardy due to financial constraints, the Black Queens have not had sufficient match practice to prepare for a highly competitive tournament like WAFCON. Competitive friendlies are critical to testing the team’s tactics, fitness, and cohesion, especially given the challenging group they will face in Morocco. Players are reportedly feeling the pressure of the situation as they have not had the opportunity to gauge their readiness for WAFCON. This situation is also causing frustration among the technical team, who rely on friendlies to assess player performance, build team chemistry, and make tactical adjustments. Head coach Nora Häuptle had specifically identified these friendlies as crucial to her preparations for the tournament. The absence of these games has made it difficult for her and her team to fully evaluate the squad and address any weaknesses. The Black Queens’ return to the WAFCON stage is an exciting prospect after their absence in 2020, but they will be facing stiff competition in Group B, which includes South Africa (the defending champions), Tanzania, and Mali. Without these preparatory friendlies, the Black Queens may struggle to fine-tune their tactics and build the necessary match fitness to compete at the highest level. Despite these setbacks, the Black Queens are determined to make the most of their preparations and qualify for the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup or perform well in the WAFCON. However, the absence of crucial friendlies is a major obstacle that could impact their performance at the continental tournament.
