2023 Womens’ World Cup: Black Queens lose out on world stage
At the ongoing FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, each player will receive a minimum of $30,000 given by FIFA and a maximum of $270,000 if they progress to the final.
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The quadrennial tournament features 32 teams for the first time and secured over 1.5 million tickets, which is a record in women football. It is also set to be the most watched women’s football tournament in history.
However, the Black Queens, the female senior national football team, will be left out in all these largesse because the team didn’t qualify for this year’s mundial despite participating in previous world cups.
The missed qualification of the Black Queens for the 2023 FIFA World Cup may be due to various reasons, so it's important to analyze and address them strategically. Some possible factors could include a lack of team performance, strong competition from other nations, player development issues, or organizational challenges.
Nonetheless, failure for the team to qualify for the world cup may come down to some of the same factors affecting the men’s national team the Black Stars.
Planning to fail
Nigeria, Zambia and current African champions South Africa have elicited strong performances when it comes to women’s football on the continent. Morocco have recently joined these trident with Ghana also part of the big five.
Africa has only four slots allocated for the Women’s World Cup and this is keenly contested for by the 54 countries on the continent.
GFA and women’s football
Football in the country failed to notice the highly competitive nature of the task at hand. Authorities failed to realise that the Black Queens are facing tough opponents who are highly experienced and skilled and hence prepare the team technically, psychologically and adequately for it.
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To make matters worse, the Black Queens lacked the requisite coaching staff and personnel to help it win even friendly competitions. Added to this is the lack of team cohesion and chemistry, a lack of effective teamwork, coordination, and understanding amongst the players and coaching staff that can negatively affect results.
Unlike the Black Stars, the Black Queens receive a pittance as per diems, bonuses and in player welfare from the state.
This has affected the morale of players.
The way forward
The Black Queens can qualify for the next world cup in 2027 and perform better through enhanced player development.
This development can be achieved through investments in grassroot development programmes to identify and nurture young talents.
This can be done in tandem with a comprehensive national training programs and academies to improve the players' skills, fitness, and tactical knowledge.
Also strengthening of coaching and technical staff through the employment of experienced and knowledgeable coaches who understand the intricacies of the game and can implement effective strategies is going to be vital.
These coaches and technical staff must be supported with qualified fitness experts, nutritionists, and mental preparation coach.
Government must increase investment and sponsorships in women football.
This can be achieved through engagements with organizations, corporate sponsors, and football federations to provide adequate funding and resources for the development of women's football in Ghana.
A key issue with Ghana football is the lack of improvement in infrastructure.
The need for an established and upgrade training facilities, stadiums, and pitches to meet international standards is a sine qua non.
This would provide a conducive environment for players to train and compete at their best.
One of the downsides of womens’ football in Ghana is the uncompetitiveness and lack of quality in the women’s football league in the country.
To support the growth and professionalization of the Women's Premier League, ensuring regular matches and attracting sponsors will be necessary to foster the growth of womens’ football.
The FA must offer incentives to clubs that focus on nurturing and developing young talents.