The Black Queens’ build-up to the 2025 Women’s African Cup of Nations (WAFCON) has been dealt a significant blow following the government’s inability to provide funding for planned international friendlies during the women’s international window.
The team had scheduled two important preparatory matches — one against Senegal in Ghana and another against Tunisia in Tunis. These games were designed to give the team competitive exposure ahead of the WAFCON tournament in Morocco, slated for July 2025. However, a lack of funds reportedly prevented the $40,000 budget necessary for the two matches from being approved, forcing their cancellation.
While the Black Queens missed out on this critical opportunity, other African teams utilised the international window to sharpen their squads. Nigeria played three friendlies against Algeria and France, South Africa faced Jamaica, and Mali tested their mettle against Botswana and Morocco.
The inability to secure friendlies has raised concerns about the Black Queens’ preparedness, particularly as their rivals are actively working on cohesion and tactical improvements ahead of the continental showpiece.
This situation has drawn widespread disappointment from fans and stakeholders, who have emphasised the need for greater investment in women’s football to boost competitiveness and narrow the performance gap with other leading teams.
The Women’s African Cup of Nations, which doubles as a qualifying tournament for the FIFA Women’s World Cup, will feature the best teams on the continent. With less than seven months to go, the absence of these friendlies leaves the Black Queens in a precarious position, underscoring the urgency for immediate action to address funding and preparation gaps.
As the countdown to WAFCON 2025 continues, the cancellation of these friendlies has reignited discussions about creating sustainable frameworks to support women’s football. For the Black Queens to compete effectively at the highest level, proactive measures must be taken to secure adequate resources and provide the team with much-needed preparatory matches.