Sports Minister dismisses claims of encouraging Black Queens to boycott match against Egypt

Minister for Sports and Recreation Kofi Adams has rejected allegations that he supported the Black Queens’ boycott of their upcoming Women’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Egypt.

The players are refusing to train due to unpaid bonuses from the 2024 WAFCON campaign in Morocco, with each player reportedly owed $9,500.

The Black Queens’ frustration stems from delayed payments, despite their commendable performance in the tournament, which ended in July.

The standoff has sparked concerns about Ghana’s qualification chances for the 2026 WAFCON and the 2027 Women’s World Cup in Brazil. In an Asempa FM interview, Kofi Adams denied endorsing the players’ boycott.

The Minister categorically rejected allegations that he advised the team to proceed with their strike, considering it preposterous to suggest that he would travel to the team’s camp to advocate such a course of action.

He underscored the negative implications of any boycott, warning that it would permanently damage the players’ reputations, even if the nation eventually recovers from the fallout.

“If they persist in boycotting, it will affect the nation, but the nation will recover. However, those involved in the boycott will forever bear the consequences,” he asserted.

Ghana currently leads Egypt 3-0 from the first leg, with the decisive second leg scheduled for October 28 at Accra Sports Stadium.

The players’ protest and tensions surrounding the unpaid bonuses have cast a shadow over the national team’s hopes of securing qualification for both WAFCON and the 2027 Women’s World Cup.