Ghana’s senior women’s national team, the Black Queens, have refused to train ahead of their crucial clash with Egypt, protesting over unpaid bonuses from the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON).
On Saturday morning, none of the players boarded the team bus for their scheduled training session, choosing instead to remain in their hotel rooms in a show of unity and frustration.
The protest stems from outstanding payments of $9,500 per player, which the team says have been owed since their campaign at the WAFCON tournament held in July.
Sources close to the squad revealed that the players have vowed not to play their upcoming game against Egypt on Tuesday unless the arrears are settled.
The standoff places Ghana’s preparations for the tie in jeopardy and raises wider questions about the consistent challenges faced by women’s football teams in Africa, particularly concerning player welfare and fair compensation.
Officials from the Ghana Football Association (GFA) have yet to issue a formal response, though efforts are reportedly underway to resolve the impasse before the team’s scheduled match.
Despite their strong recent form on the pitch, the Black Queens’ focus now turns off it, as they demand what they believe is rightfully theirs.
