The Black Queens’ upcoming international friendlies against Senegal and Tunisia are in doubt due to funding challenges, with neither the Ministry of Youth and Sports (MoYS) nor the Ghana Football Association (GFA) able to secure the $40,000 needed for the games, according to Joy Sports.
The matches, scheduled for the November international window, were meant to be crucial preparation for the team ahead of the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON). However, financial difficulties have stalled plans, and the games now seem unlikely to proceed.
Joy Sports sources indicate that the funds were required to cover the costs of both fixtures. The GFA is unable to provide the amount, while the Sports Ministry has yet to approve the budget for the matches.
The Black Queens last played in July during a friendly against Japan, and head coach Nora Häuptle was counting on these matches to evaluate the team’s readiness for WAFCON. The tournament, set to take place in Morocco, marks Ghana’s return to the competition after a five-year absence. They qualified by overcoming Namibia in the final round of qualifiers earlier this year.
Drawn in a challenging group with defending champions South Africa, Tanzania, and Mali, the lack of competitive fixtures has left the players and coaching staff frustrated, as they feel ill-prepared for the high-stakes tournament.
SOURCE: Joy Sports
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