The Black Queens’ planned international friendlies against Senegal and Tunisia are at risk of being canceled due to a lack of funds. Reports from Joy Sports indicate that the $40,000 needed to organize the matches has not been secured, with neither the Ghana Football Association (GFA) nor the Ministry of Youth and Sports (MoYS) able to provide the required budget.

The matches were scheduled for the November international window as part of preparations for the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Morocco. Head coach Nora Häuptle had hoped the games would serve as critical assessments to fine-tune the team ahead of their challenging group-stage fixtures against defending champions South Africa, Tanzania, and Mali.

The Black Queens, who have not played since their friendly against Japan in July, face a significant setback if these matches are canceled. Ghana secured their WAFCON qualification by defeating Namibia in the final round, marking their first appearance in the tournament since 2018.

The GFA’s inability to fund the friendlies and the Ministry’s delay in approving the budget have left the team’s preparation plans in limbo. As the WAFCON draws closer, stakeholders are being urged to intervene to ensure the Black Queens are adequately prepared for the continental tournament.