The Black Queens’ scheduled international friendlies against Senegal and Tunisia are in jeopardy due to a lack of funding, as neither the Ministry of Youth and Sports (MoYS) nor the Ghana Football Association (GFA) can raise the $40,000 required for the matches, JoySports has learned.
The two matches, planned for the November international window, were intended to help the team prepare for the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON).
However, financial constraints have stalled arrangements, making it unlikely the games will take place.
According to Joy Sports sources, the $40,000 was needed to cover expenses for both matches. However, the GFA does not have the funds, and the Sports Ministry has not approved the budget.
The Queens have not played a game since their last friendly against Japan in July. Head coach Nora Häuptle was counting on the fixtures to assess the squad’s readiness ahead of next year’s WAFCON in Morocco.
The Black Queens qualified for the continental tournament earlier this year after defeating Namibia in the final round of qualifiers. Ghana will compete in a challenging group alongside defending champions South Africa, Tanzania, and Mali.
With their return to the WAFCON for the first time since 2018, the lack of competitive friendlies has left players and technical team members frustrated.