Head coach of Ghana’s Black Queens, Nora Häuptle, has raised concerns about the team’s inadequate preparations for the upcoming 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Morocco.
Despite the importance of readiness for the continental tournament, the Black Queens have not participated in any friendly matches during the last two international windows.
Scheduled friendlies against Senegal and Tunisia in November were canceled after the Ghana Football Association (GFA) and the Ministry of Youth and Sports failed to approve the necessary budget.
The lack of preparation comes amidst reports of Häuptle’s possible exit from her position. The Swiss coach has reportedly declined a contract extension, fueling rumors that she may take up a coaching role in Zambia following the departure of their former head coach, Bruce Mwape.
Häuptle recently took to LinkedIn to voice her frustrations, pointing out that the Black Queens have played only three matches in 2024—far below what is required to ensure readiness for WAFCON. She contrasted Ghana’s situation with the rigorous preparation efforts of other nations, underscoring the challenges facing the team.
With uncertainty surrounding both Häuptle’s future and the Black Queens’ prospects, the team’s path to success at WAFCON remains unclear.